§ MR. ONSLOWasked the Secretary of State for India, Whether the Viceroy of India in Council has been consulted regarding the principal changes in Army organisation, &c. intended to take effect from 1st July 1881; and, if so, whether the correspondence will be laid upon the Table of the House before the discussion on the subject takes place; and, what, if any, will be the increased charge on the Indian Military expenditure if the scheme, as proposed, be carried out?
THE MARQUESS OF HARTINGTONSir, a large proportion of the changes which it is intended shall take effect from the 1st of July, 1881, are not of a nature to require that the Viceroy of India shall be consulted before their adoption. The essential changes, however, which affect the interests of the Indian Empire—namely, the prolonged tour of battalions in India and the materially lengthened service of the individual soldiers composing them, are in complete accord with the well-known and frequently-expressed wishes of the Indian Government. With reference to an increase of charge on the Indian military expenditure arising from the proposed scheme, there is no increase. It would be impracticable at present to give any precise or detailed table of charges, for estimates, based on many heads of expenditure, some of which depend on more or less remote contingencies, are necessarily uncertain; but, after setting probable increase of charge in some items against assured decrease in others, the result is certainly and very materially to the advantage of the Indian revenues.
§ MR. ONSLOWWhat about the Correspondence?
THE MARQUESS OF HARTINGTONThere has been much discussion on the subject between the War Office and the Foreign Office; but there is no Correspondence which can be laid on the Table of the House.