§ MR. JAMES STUARTI beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for India whether his attention has been called to the Despatch, addressed by Lord Knuts-ford on 30th November, 1888, to the 256 Governor of the Straits Settlements, refusing to discuss the alleged increase of disease which was stated to have taken place in that Colony on the repeal of the Contagious Diseases Acts there, and stating, as the reason for so refusing, that while—
An increase of disease might be expected to follow as an immediate consequence of repeal. …. Ultimately, though only after a sufficient time has elapsed, it is to be hoped that the moral effects in the direction of discouraging prostitution will largely counterbalance the initial increase of disease;and whether he will call the attention of the Government of India to Lord Knutsford's Despatches on this subject addressed to the Governor of the Straits Settlements and to other Colonial Governors, with the view of acquainting the Government of India with the policy adopted by Her Majesty's Government in the Crown Colonies in respect of this matter?
§ THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR INDIA (Sir J. GORST,) ChathamThe Secretary of State is acquainted with the Despatch of Lord Knutsford alluded to in the question. The policy of Her Majesty's Government in India, in respect of the Contagious Diseases Acts, is contained in the Despatch of 17th May, 1888, laid upon the Table, and has by means of that Despatch been communicated to the Government of India.