§ MR. W. M'LAREN (Cheshire, Crewe)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether he can state the result of his inquiries in Malta as to the Contagious Diseases Regulations existing there, especially in regard to the system of making soldiers point out the women from whom they allege they have contracted disease, and as to the compulsory examination of women; and what steps he is taking to put a complete stop to the entire system?
§ *MR. CAMPBELL-BANNERMANA Report has been received from Malta on this subject. It appears that the Ordinance of 1861 imposing restrictions on prostitutes is still in force. The Local Government attempted in 1888 to repeal it, but were defeated in the Council of Government by 13 votes to 6, the six being all official Members. A soldier admitted to hospital suffering from venereal disease is requested to indicate the woman from whom he contracted it; but he is not punished if he declines to do so. Formerly this was obligatory on the soldier, but that is no longer the case.