§ MR. CAINEI beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for India whether the Secretary of State is aware of the strong feeling which exists among the Hindu and Moslem inhabitants of Benares respecting the provision of a water supply for that city in pipes protected internally by an anti-corrosive mixture; and whether, in view of the great mischief caused in India by any prevailing idea regarding matters affecting religion, the Secretary of State will ascertain by public analysis what are the component parts of this mixture, and make the result of the analysis known in Benares, as the belief is widely spread throughout the city that the mixture contains hog's lard and bovine fat, a circumstance which, if correct, would prevent either Mahomedans or Hindus making use of water which according to their religious tenets is thereby polluted, and may not be used?
*MR. GEORGE RUSSELL(1) No, Sir; the Secretary of State for India has heard nothing of the strong local feeling mentioned in the question. (2) The Secretary of State for India will forward my hon. Friend's question to the Government of India.