§ MR. STUART (Shoreditch, Hoxton)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India whether in the draft cantonment, rules sanctioned by him in his despatch of 8th July, 1897, it is provided that any medical practitioner who in the course of his practice becomes cognisant of the existence in any person of any infectious, or contagious disorder shall be bound, under penalty to give information to the cantonment authority; and whether the Indian Government have given any reason for omitting this provision in the cantonment regulations issued by them under date 15th October, 1897, and now in operation?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR INDIA (Lord G. HAMILTON,) Middlesex, EalingThe Government of India were of opinion that the rule to which this, question refers was, as originally drafted, too wide, and that it required modification. As, however, it was desirable to issue the rules without delay, they decided to publish them without this particular rule, which they reserved for further consideration; but it was and their intention to restore it in a modified form. This will shortly be done, and I will then lay it on the Table of the House.
§ MR. STUARTI beg to ask the Secretary of State for India whether he will lay upon the Table of the House the letter issued by the Government of India, Military Department, dated 20th November, 1897, which purports to state explicitly and in practical detail the policy of the Government of India with respect to the future treatment of venereal disease in cantonments?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR INDIAIn answer to a supplemental Question the other day I said I was not aware whether I had seen the actual document. I find now that it did pass before me, and it is included in the Papers which are already in print and which I have presented to the House.