HC Deb 15 March 1898 vol 54 cc1656-7
SIR CHARLES DILKE (Gloucester, Forest of Dean)

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India whether the consideration of the proposed Military changes in India connected with those recently proposed for the Home Army is sufficiently advanced to enable him to state what will be the estimated cost to India in the coming financial year of the proposed Military changes, and what the cost in future years?

THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR INDIA (Lord G. HAMILTON,) Middlesex, Ealing

The Government of India have under their consideration the question as to the application to British troops in India of the proposed changes in their pay, but the matter is by no means a simple one, as it is mixed up with the issue of a grocery ration, which in India is on a wholly different footing from what prevails here. I have as yet received no final Report from India. It is therefore impossible for me to place before the House an Estimate of the additional charge which will be thrown on Indian revenues.