§ MR. W. F. LAWRENCE (Liverpool, Abercromby)asked the Under Secretary of State for India, Whether his attention has been drawn to the letter of The Times correspondent (Sept. 21st) regarding the Mandalay inundation; and, whether he will institute an inquiry regarding the alleged neglect on the part of the British authorities to strengthen the bund although duly warned of its danger?
§ THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE (Sir JOHN GORST) (Chatham)I have no official information with regard to the Mandalay inundation later than that given to the House on August 25 and September 3. That information was furnished by telegram, and is of later date than the statement of the Correspondent of The Times. It exonerates the British officials as far as it goes from the charges made, and shows that the loss of life, which The Times Correspondent states was unlikely to be less than 1,000, did not, in fact, exceed 12. The Secretary of State for India, when the news of the disaster was received, at once ordered an inquiry, which, however, proved to have been already instituted by the Government of India on its own motion. The Secretary of State will take care that this inquiry is searching and complete, and full information on the subject shall be given to Parliament.