§ MR. O'REILLYsaid, he would beg to ask the Secretary of State for India, Whether an Order has been issued by the Governor General in Council for India—
Relative to providing a room in the lines or European regiments in India to which the men can resort for private reading and prayer, and for holding prayer meetings and other meetings of a similar character, and directing that a room of a suitable size, with such furniture as may be deemed to fit it for the purposes above mentioned, shall be considered one of the recognized requirements in the barracks of every British regiment or considerable detachment of British troops: and, further, that a residence would be assigned to a scripture reader in the married quarters.Whether the rooms contemplated in the above Order will be available for the Roman Catholic soldiers for similar purposes of united and public prayer, and other devotional exercises consonant with their religion; and, whether in cases where Roman Catholic soldiers comprise the majority, or other large portion of the troops, a residence will be assigned to a Roman Catholic catechist or religious teacher, as in other cases to a Protestant scripture reader.
§ SIR STAFFORD NORTHCOTEsaid, in reply, that an Order bad been issued at the instance of the Commander-in-Chief for India, in which it was stated that a room of suitable size should be considered one of the recognized necessities of European regiments in India. As regarded the other part of the Question of the hon. Member, it rested altogether with the authorities in India; but if the lion. Member would put the Question formally to him he would send it on to them.
§ MR. O'REILLYsaid, he wished to know whether if such an application were made it would be granted?
§ SIR STAFFORD NORTHCOTEsaid, that the matter was one entirely for the consideration of the Governor General of India.