§ SIR J. FERGUSSON (Manchester, N.E.)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India if he can inform the House how the returns of admission to hospital for venereal disease compare with those of previous years.
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR INDIA (Lord G. HAMILTON,) Middlesex, EalingThe admission rate for venereal diseases among British troops in India (including those on field service) was 363 per 1,000 in 1898, against 486 in 1897, 511in 1896, and 522 in 1895. This is a considerable decrease, and is the more 488 gratifying because the new cantonment rules, to which it is no doubt mainly due had not fully come into operation at the time when the return was made. The rate was lower in 1898 than in any year since 1887; and the figures of 1898 show a greater reduction on those of 1897 than has ever been recorded in any previous year, but they are still sadly high, and I hope and expect under the present system to see them much further reduced.
§ SIR J. FERGUSSONCan my noble friend give any statement as to Her Majesty's ships in the Indian ports?
§ LORD G. HAMILTONNo, Sir.