§ SIR MANCHERJEE BHOWNAGGREE (Bethnal Green, N.K.)I beg to 1336 ask the Secretary of State for India whether he has any official information showing that the Indian troops and camp followers serving in North China were not provided with such suitable warm clothing as would enable them to resist the intense cold of that region, and that consequently they suffered great hardships; and will he state how many casualties and deaths from sickness have occurred among them up to the date of the last official reports received here or in India.
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR INDIA (Lord G. HAMILTON,) Middlesex, EalingI have not seen the reports referred to. An ample supply of warm clothing was provided for troops and followers, and we have no reason to suppose that there has been any sickness or suffering from any deficiencies in this respect. The percentage of sick troops in hospital from all causes on the 1st January was only 3½. The deaths have not been reported.