MR. SERJEANT DEASYsaid, he rose to call the attention of this House to the arrangements now existing with respect to the provisions for Roman Catholic Chaplains for the troops serving in India; and to ask the President of the Board of Control whether his attention has been called to that subject as well as to the regulations respecting Regimental Schools and Orphanages for the children of European Soldiers in India, and whether it is intended to make any alterations in those regulations which would make them more satisfactory to the Roman Catholic Soldiers serving in that country.
LORD STANLEYsaid, that since last year there had been an increase in the pay and allowances to Roman Catholic chaplains serving in India. Formerly the pay and allowances amounted to £150, and they now amounted to £300. There had been some delay in complying with the orders sent out on this subject, and no longer ago than the 24th of last month instructions were sent out by the Board of Control, desiring that the regulations already made should be carried into effect without delay. The other subject adverted to by the hon. Member was under consideration, and he trusted to be able to remove any complaint with respect to it.
§ MR. GREERsaid, he wished to express a hope that something more would be done than at present for providing religious instruction for the Presbyterian soldiers serving in India. He would not at that moment enter into any details, as he intended to bring the subject under the notice of the House in the course of the ensuing Session.