MR. J. HERBERT ROBERTSI beg to ask the Secretary of State for India, whether British soldiers have been employed in the enforcement of the plague regulations in the City of Bombay; and whether he can lay any Papers upon the Table of the House relating to the methods pursued in the Bombay Presidency dealing with the plague?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR INDIAA limited number of picked European soldiers have been employed on search parties at Bombay. This experiment had been tried with great success at Poona, and, so far as I am aware, had caused no friction whatever. I am, however, informed that in Bombay British soldiers had ceased to be thus employed a few days before the beginning of the recent disturbance. A large instalment of Papers concerning the plague has been in the Press for presentation to Parliament since the 3rd February last. I hope they may shortly be in the hands of hon. Members. When they are distributed I will consider what further Papers can be presented.