§ MR. ROBERT CAMERON (Durham, Houghton-le-Spring)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India if he will state what are the terms of the reference to the Departmental Committee now sitting on the subject of venereal disease among British troops in India,; whether the evidence taken by the Committee will be circulated as soon as complete: and, whether the House will be afforded an opportunity of discussing the question before any action is taken by the Imperial or the Indian Governments?
§ LORD GEORGE HAMILTONThe terms of reference were as follows:—
To examine the official returns of venereal disease among British troops stationed in India, and to report what changes, if any, have taken place during recent years in the prevalence of such disease and in its character and intensity; also, to obtain and report any information which may be available with regard to the presence of venereal disease and its character and intensity among foreign armies.The report is now under my consideration, and will be published. The evidence on which it is founded being almost entirely documentary, has not been separately recorded, but is embodied or referred to in the Report. I am at present unable to say what course may be taken by Her Majesty's Government; but, undoubtedly, the House will have an opportunity of discussing any decision we may arrive at.