HC Deb 05 June 1894 vol 25 c400
MR. CAINE

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India if his attention has been called to many eases during the' last few months, such as those at Guntakul, Fulta, and Bareilly, in which Natives of India have been killed by British soldiers off duty carrying firearms, resulting in the trial of such soldiers for murder; and if he will recommend the Commander-in-Chief in India to issue an Order prohibiting the carrying of firearms and other lethal weapons by soldiers when off duty?

MR. H. H. FOWLER

I have inquired as to the Regulations under which soldiers are allowed when off duty to carry firearms. Those Regulations are of a stringent nature, and go, I believe, as-far as any Regulations can to limit the possession of private arms and the grant of shooting passes to steady and well-conducted men. I do not think that it would be expedient to attempt to enforce absolute prohibition.

MR. CAINE

Will the right hon. Gentleman get the existing Orders enforced and punishment inflicted when they are broken?

MR. H. H. FOWLER

Certainly.