HC Deb 23 March 1868 vol 191 cc37-8
MR. OTWAY

said, he would beg to ask the Secretary of State for War, Whether he has received further information respecting the mortality in the 86th Regiment, lately landed in the Mauritius, and, whether he has taken, or intends to take, any steps for the removal of the Regiment during the epidemic in that island?

SIR JOHN PAKINGTON

said, he had hoped to have received the Official Despatches from the Mauritius that morning; but up to the hour at which he had come down to the House they had not arrived. The question was one entirely for the decision of the Commander-in-Chief, but doubtless a very strict inquiry would be made into the whole of the circumstances connected with the case. He could not, however, conceal his apprehension that in allowing the troops to land when they did, a very serious error had been committed.