§ MR. J. M. MACLEAN (Cardiff)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India (1) whether the measures of segregation of the sick, and of healthy from plague-infected houses, recently ordered by the Government of Bombay on the recommendation of medical men from Hong Kong, were in substance urged upon that Government early in October 1896, by the Surgeon General with the Government of Bombay, and again. in December by a committee of Bombay medical officers presided over by the late Surgeon Major Manser; (2) whether the Surgeon General in October advised medical examination of railway passengers at Kalyan and Virar, as being more effectual than inspection at terminal stations within Bombay limits, and whether the recommendation was disregarded by the Bombay Government for three and a half months, during which the plague was carried to numerous fresh centres of infection; (3) whether in the measures that have been adopted and the special appointments made to deal with the plague, the Bombay Government have acted in consultation with the Surgeon. General and the Sanitary Commissioner and on their recommendation; and (4) whether he will lay upon the Table copies of the report of committee above referred to and of the recommendations of the Surgeon General?
§ LORD GEORGE HAMILTONI am unable to answer the first two Questions as to the origin and paternity of the measures taken to suppress plague in Bombay, but, so far as I know, there has been no divergence of opinion as to the most effective means of stamping out the pestilence, though there may have been differences of opinion as to the possibility of enforcing drastic measures offhand. I believe that the Bombay Government have acted throughout in consultation with the Surgeon General and the Sanitary Commissioner. As to the reports referred to, I will inquire about them and consider whether they should be made public.