HC Deb 08 March 1898 vol 54 cc988-9
MR. SWIFT MACNEILL

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India a Question of which I have given him private notice—namely, whether his attention has been drawn to a Reuter telegram from India, which appeared in this morning's papers, relating to the friction between the Corporation and the Plague Committee of Bombay as to the difficulty of carrying out the plague regulations, and as to the increase of the plague; and also whether he can make any statement in regard to the condition of affairs in Bombay?

THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR INDIA

I saw last night the telegram alluded to by the hon. Member, but I have received no confirmatory news as to the accuracy of its statements from the Bombay Government. I telegraphed this morning for further information on the points alluded to. A few days ago I received a telegram from the Governor of Bombay, which was to the following effect— In case of rumours of serious unrest amongst Mahomedans at Bombay, they are untrue.