MR. HERBERT ROBERTS (Denbighshire, W.)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India whether he will state the amount drawn annually from the taxation of India for the maintenance of Christian ecclesiastical establishments in that country; whether he can give any reasons why the charges of these churches, which exist for the benefit of the English community, should be borne by the taxpayers of India and whether, in view of the strain now put upon Indian finances by the famine, he will consider the advisability of devoting the money referred to to purposes of general service of the country?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR INDIA (Lord GEORGE HAMILTON,) Middlesex, EalingThe total charge upon Indian revenues for ecclesiastical purposes was Rx. 220,000 in 1895–96, of which sum by far the greater part was spent in pay and establishments for chaplains of various denominations serving with the Army. It has for 200 years been held, and is still hell by the Government of India, 1116 to be a part of their duty to provide religious ministrations, within reasonable limits, for the European Army in India, and for European civilians serving in that country. Both these classes have accepted employment in the expectation and belief that such provision would be made; and there is no intention of making any change in the present arrangements.
MR. CARVELL WILLIAMS (Notting hamshire, Mansfield)Will a Return be granted of the details of this expenditure if asked for?
§ LORD GEORGE HAMILTONYes, Sir.