HC Deb 23 August 1886 vol 308 cc266-7
MR. LABOUCHERE (Northampton)

asked the Secretary of State for War, Whether he can inform the House the number of officers, rank and file, of the three Forces at present in Burmah, or under orders for Burmah; and, whether the expenditure is included in the ordinary Estimates for the year, or will appear in a Supplementary Estimate?

THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR INDIA (Sir JOHN GORST) (Chatham)

My right hon. Friend has asked me to answer the Question. There is in Upper Burmah a Military Force of 284 officers and 17,080 men. Of these, 739 are Artillery, 296 Cavalry, 15,575 Infantry, and 754 Sappers. There is a force of 103 officers and 4,073 men in Lower Burmah. The reinforcements which are under orders to proceed to Burmah in the cold season are 203 officers and 9,934 men. Of these, 240 are Artillery, 2,580 Cavalry, and 7,317 Infantry. The expenditure is not included in the ordinary Estimates, and will not appear in a Supplementary Estimate, being borne by the Revenues of India.

SIR, GEORGE CAMPBELL (Kirkcaldy, &c.)

desired to know whether the hon. and learned Member could distinguish between Natives and Europeans?

SIR JOHN GORST

Of the forces now in Burmah there are 437 British Artillery and 370 Natives. The whole of the Cavalry are Native; and of the Infantry 3,000 and odd are British, and 12,000 and odd men are Natives.