§ CAPTAIN NORTON (Newington, W.)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War if he can state whether soldiers enlisted for three years are now being sent to India in the hope of their re-engaging; and whether, in the event of their not doing so, the cost of their passage home will be made a charge on the British taxpayer; what the cost per head of such men will be to England and India respectively in the event of their not re-engaging; and whether the policy of sending such 975 men to India has received the sanction of the Indian military authorities.
§ MR. ARNOLD-FORSTERA certain number of men who have not extended are being sent to India. Should they not extend in India the extra cost of passage will fall on the Home Government. The relative extra cost depends on the period during which they serve in India, but the precise adjustment has not yet been settled. The policy of sending such men to India, under present circumstances, has received the assent of the Indian Government.
§ CAPTAIN NORTONCan the right hon. Gentleman give the number of these men?
§ MR. ARNOLD-FORSTERNo, Sir, it varies from day to day.