§ MR. W. McLAREN (Cheshire, Crewe)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India what steps the Indian Government is taking consequent upon the Report of the Departmental Committee appointed to inquire into the rules, regulations, and practice in the Indian cantonments with regard to the treatment of venereal disease; whether legislation is proposed, in conformity with the Report of the Committee, in reference to the system of periodical examination of prostitutes, that the only effective method preventing those systematic practices which have been maintained is by means of express legislation; and, if so, what are the terms of the Bill; and, how soon is it expected that the Rill will become law?
§ MR. HANBURY (Preston)Before the right hon. Gentleman answers. I should like to ask him whether the Government have received certain representations from the Commander-in-Chief in India with regard to the ravages committed by this class of disease in India, and, if so, whether he will allow those representations to be laid upon the Table; and also whether it is the fact that the Commander-in-Chief two or three days ago stated that—
The admissions to hospital in 1893 amounted to nearly 50 per cent. of the entire European force, and as the prevalence and virulence of the diseases were increasing, he feared that last year would show a still higher percentage. It was impossible to estimate by figures the resulting loss in efficiency, but he was certain that it would be lamentable, if the army were tried by heavy marching or a severe campaign.
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR INDIA (Mr. H. H. Fowler,) Wolverhampton, E.I cannot undertake to answer from telegraphic reports of what transpires in the Council in India. I have already had experience of inaccuracy 439 of the telegraphic report of what transpired on the Indian Cotton Duties Bill; and the newspapers which gave the telegraphic summary of the Viceroy's speech have not done him the justice to give his speech more fully when it was received by the mail. If they had it would have been seen that it bore a construction the reverse of that it was made to bear in the telegraphic report. I have had no official communication made to me by the Commander in Chief. A Bill dealing with the subjects of my hon. Friend's question was introduced into the Legislative Council by the Indian Government last July; the text of the Bill was published in the Gazette; and the opinions of the local Governments were, according to the regular practice, obtained. The consideration of the Bill was proceeded with when the Council re-assembled in Calcutta, and it was referred to a Select Committee. I am informed by telegraph that the Bill has now passed with some Amendments. I expect to receive copies of the Act by the mail which leaves India this week.