§ SIR JOHN LENG (Dundee)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India whether he has any later information 169 than has been communicated to the Press respecting the outbreak of the plague at Calcutta; and whether, in dealing with it, every care will be taken not to excite the religious antagonism of the natives?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR INDIAMy latest information regarding the plague at Calcutta is dated the 1st and 2nd May. The existence of local plague cases has, I regret to say, been placed beyond doubt; and instructions have been given for carrying out the preventive precautions prescribed by the Venice Convention; 23 cases of plague and seven deaths occurred during the last four days of April. I am confident that the Government, in combating the plague at Calcutta, will give due weight to the religious sentiments of the people, and will make every endeavour to obtain their co-operation.