§ CAPTAIN NORTON (Newington, W.)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether it has been brought to his notice that a number of young soldiers forming part of this year's Indian relief will not be landed in Bombay until late 534 in this month, when the hot season has commenced; and if he can say why arrangements were not made to send these young soldiers, going on Indian service for the first time, earlier in the trooping season.
* THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR WAR (Mr. ABNOLD-FOKSTER,) Belfast, W.The hon. and gallant Member doubtless refers to the drafts on the "Assaye" which was intended to leave England on the 20th March, a date not considered too late for young soldiers to proceed to India. The delay of a month caused by an accident to the ship was not considered sufficient to justify cancelling the departure of the drafts. It must be remembered that the Commander-in-Chief in India has discretionary powers as to accommodating in the hills any soldiers who are considered unfit for a summer in the plains. The women and children were given the option of going out next winter, an option of which a very few availed themselves.