§ CAPTAIN NORTON (Newington, W.)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India whether he is now in a position to state the result of his inquiries as to the camp followers in the late Indian frontier campaign having been deprived at the close of the campaign of the warm clothing issued to them; and whether, inasmuch as this clothing was sold for small sums, these men, many of whom are now serving in South Africa, will be allowed in future to retain it.
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR INDIA (Lord G. HAMILTON,) Middlesex, EalingThe Government of India have reported that, under the rules in force during the frontier campaign of 1897–8, followers who served until the end of the campaign were allowed to retain their field service clothing, except leather belts, haversacks, water-bottles, and waterproof sheets. But for the future the Government of India have decided that they shall be allowed to retain their clothing, with the exception of leather belts and waterproof sheets only.