§ MR. JAMES MACLEAN (Oldham)asked the Under Secretary of State for India, Whether the augmentation of the British troops in India by the addition of ten thousand men, and the augmentation of the Native Army in India by the addition of seventeen thousand men, which was agreed upon by the Governor of India and the late Government, is being proceeded with; what 1481 will be the full strength of the British troops in India after the trooping season 1886–7, and the full strength of the Native Army in India at the same time; what progress has been made towards raising the four additional Sikh and the five additional Ghoorka regiments; and, when these regiments will be added to the effective Military strength of India?
THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE (Sir UGHTRED KAY-SHUTTLE-WORTH) (Lancashire, Clitheroe)The authorized addition to the European Force was 10,657 men. Of these about 6,400 were sent out last trooping season. The total permanent addition to the Native Army is between 16,000 and 17,000 men. Orders have been issued for the increase of some 4,500 men to the Cavalry; and two at least of the five additional Ghoorka regiments have been raised, and recruits for the others are, it is understood, coming in satisfactorily. If the remainder of the Europeans are sent out during next trooping season and the whole of the additional Native Forces are raised, the full European Establishment will be 69,764, and the Native 141,000. No Orders have yet been issued for raising any of the Native Forces except those I have already specified; and it rests with the Government of India to use its discretion, having regard to financial and other considerations, as to the time of issuing them.