MR. H. ROBERTS (Denbighshire, W.)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India whether he is aware of the proposal to found a bacteriological institute in India; whether he will state whether the Government of India have sanctioned the project; if so, to what extent are they committed; whether the funds for this project are being raised by subscriptions from Indian princes, and to what extent has this been done; whether he will state whether it is intended that experiments on animals shall be carried on under this project; whether the institute is designed as a memorial of the Diamond Jubilee of the Queen; and whether, having regard to the divergence of views in reference to such an institution, he is in a position to recommend, as a memorial of Her Majesty's Jubilee in India, some work of benevolence commanding general support?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR INDIAI am aware that the Government of India have had before them proposals for the foundation of a Pasteur Institute, to which a bacteriological laboratory would be attached. Such institutions have to be almost entirely supported by private subscription. Independently of this project the Government of India have had under their consideration the advisability of establishing an institution for the bacteriological investigation of certain diseases specially prevalent in tropical climates. No information has reached me which justifies the assumptions and suggestions of the last three Questions.