§ SIR CHARLES DILKE (Gloucester, Forest of Dean)I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether, supposing no appointment to the vacancy in the Bombay Command to have yet been actually made, Her Majesty's Government will consider, before taking the final steps towards appointing an officer to the post, the representation made by successive Viceroys in Council in favour of the amalgamation of the Indian Armies, and based on an increase of efficiency and saving of cost?
§ *THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY(Mr. W. E. GLADSTONE,) Edinburgh, MidlothianSir. J. Hudson has been appointed, and the appointment is made like that of Sir George Greaves, subject to any alteration that may be for the benefit of the public service. A proposal has been made by the Indian Government upon the subject of the amalgamation of the Indian Armies, which will receive the careful consideration of the Government.