HC Deb 18 December 1906 vol 167 cc1265-7
*SIR J. JARDINE (Roxburghshire)

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India whether the Bishop of Bombay has refused licence to the regiment of Royal Scots, now stationed at the Colaba barracks in Bombay, to worship according to the religious solemnities of the Church of Scotland in the Government garrison church at Colaba; whether he can state if the Presbyterian soldiers in that regiment attend in parade form at any other church; what arrangements will be made for them as to churches in the hot months of the year to save them from exposure to the sun; whether the Bishop of Bombay refuses licence to Wesleyan Methodist soldiers, whether Calvinistic or Arminian, for divine service in the said Colaba garrison church; and whether these Methodist soldiers are enabled to march to any other church with their officers in military form.

MR. MORLEY

As I stated in reply to the hon. Member's Question on 28th May last, † it was arranged that parade services for the Scottish troops should beheld in the garrison church at Colaba during the hot months—from May to October inclusive—while for the rest of the year it was understood that they would attend the Presbyterian Church in the fort at Bombay. So far as I am aware, this arrangement still holds good. As regards the Wesleyan Methodist soldiers, there is, I understand, a Wesleyan Church at Bombay which is attended by the soldiers stationed there. The precise arrangements have not been reported to me, and I will make inquiry as to thorn.

*SIR J. JARDINE

asked the right hon. Gentleman whether, considering the close connection of Scotland with India, the strong religious convictions of Scotsmen and Presbyterians, and the natural feeling of a gallant regiment, he did not think this was a case in which the remedy against prelatic unreason or mistake promised in 1900 by Lord George Hamilton ought to be applied, namely, pressure by the Civil Government.

MR. MORLEY

replied that he must inquire further into the Question before answering that.

*MR. J. D. WHITE (Dumbartonshire)

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether †See (4) Debates, clviii., 64. it is not the fact that the church which is being thus monopolised was built and is being maintained out of public money?

[No Answer was returned.]