INDIA—CONTAGIOUS DISEASES ACT, XIV. OF 1868—SUSPENSION OF ACT. (Hansard, 31 July 1883)

HC Deb 31 July 1883 vol 282 cc1132-52 1132

§ MR. HOPWOOD
asked the Under Secretary of State for India. Whether it be a fact that, in June 1882, the Government of India asked the consent of the Secretary of State for India to the repeal of the Contagious Diseases Act, XIV. of 1868, on the ground that it was— A measure that had never in practice been a complete success, which was odious in the eyes of our Native subjects, and in those of a large and influential class of Europeans; whether a reply was given that the Secretary was at present unable to assent to the repeal of Act XIV.; but, in deference to the strong view held, would leave it to the discretion of the Government of India to suspend the operation of the Act; and, whether the Act XIV. of 1868 has been suspended; or, whether any further communication has passed between the two Governments on the subject?

§ MR. J. K. CROSS
, in reply, said, that with regard to the first part of the Question, with no intention to be discourteous, he must refer the hon. and learned Member for an answer to the Papers lately presented, which showed that the hon. and learned Member was right in his assumption. With regard to the latter part, no further Correspondence had passed between the Government of India and the India Office on this subject; but he understood the Act had been suspended in Calcutta.

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