§ MR. A. C. MORTON (Peterborough)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for India whether it is correctly 259 stated that in 1891 there were among the British troops serving in India 1,343 attacks and 380 deaths from typhoid fever; and whether the Government of India have yet arranged to have inspections by the principal medical officers of districts oftener than once a year, as in this country?
THE UNDER SECRETARY or STATE FOR INDIA (Mr. GEORGE RUSSELL,) North Beds.The statement of sickness and mortality from enteric fever given in my hon. Friend's question is correct. The War Office Regulations provide for half-yearly medical inspections at home and yearly ones at foreign stations. In India special inspections are, moreover, made when necessary. As far as the Secretary of State is aware, the Government of India have not thought it necessary to make any alteration in the existing system.
§ MR. A. C. MORTONMay I ask whether the Secretary of State will communicate with the Government of India as to the necessity of making more frequent medical inspections with the view of some means being taken to diminish, if possible, the extraordinary amount of sickness among the troops?
MR. GEORGE RUSSELLI will consult with the Secretary of State for India as to whether it is necessary to communicate with the Government of India on the subject, and will let the hon. Member know the result.