§ MR. WEIR (Ross and Cromarty)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that many of the mud huts provided by the Government of India for the native soldiers have doorways only four feet high, opening into a room eight feet square, with the springing of the ceiling barely six feet from the floor, and that these rooms are devoid of either light or ventilation; that the mud hut in which the native officer is located consists of two small rooms, one of which is used as his office and bedroom combined, whilst the other is occupied by his wife and family and is without light or ventilation; and will he say whether arrangements can be made for the better housing of the native troops.
§ LORD G. HAMILTONThe authorised accommodation for a native commissioned officer in Bengal, Punjab, and Bombay consists of two rooms providing a floor area of 220 square feet, with a cook-house, a stable, and an open courtyard. The height of the roof varies from twelve to fourteen feet. For the rank and file each man is provided with accommodation to the extent of sixty square feet, the roof being from twelve to fourteen feet high. Married men are provided with rooms of larger size. In Madras the space allowed is somewhat greater. The dimensions are now adhered to in all buildings constructed at the expense of the State.
§ LORD G. HAMILTONI understand they are not.