§ * SIR CHARLES DILKE (Gloucestershire, Forest of Dean)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India, whether he can state what was the effective strength in non-commissioned officers and men of the British European forces 178 in India on the 1st January 1896, 1897, and 1902, and what number of men are now serving beyond the terms of their engagement.
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR INDIA (Lord G. HAMILTON,) Middlesex, EalingThe effective strength in non-commissioned officers and men of the British Forces in India on 1st January 1896, was 70,615, and on 1st January 1897, 70,400. I have not yet received the figures for 1st January 1902, but according to the latest quarterly return 1st October, 1901, the strength was 61,686. There are no men detained in India except under conditions laid down in the terms of their engagement. I am unable to state the exact number of time-expired men at present serving in India. In June last the number was estimated at 22,000; but of these nearly 17,000 have up to date accepted bounties for the extension of their term of service up to a total of 12 years; in addition to this the number has been greatly reduced by wholesale interchanges of men between India and South Africa. I have therefore good reason to anticipate that in a short time very few time-expired men will remain in India.