§ CAPTAIN NORTONI beg to ask the Secretary of State for War if he can state whether the Home Government has agreed to defray the entire cost of the passage to and from India of the 1,000 men now serving there, who, should they not extend their term of service, complete their three-year engagement prior to the close of the trooping season 1904–5; and, if so, what will be the cost to the British taxpayer; also, of the 11,300 men required by India next trooping season, how many upon embarkation will have not less than eight years to serve.
§ MR. ARNOLD-FORSTERAs regards the cost of the passage the Army Estimates will only bear the excess charge, that may be involved by the non-extension of the men referred to. It is at present impossible to calculate what that excess cost will be. As regards the drafts for next Indian trooping season it is not possible to give at this moment any calculation as to the length of service of the men at the time of embarkation.