HC Deb 28 May 1906 vol 158 c64
SIR J. JARDINE (Roxburghshire)

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India whether the rank and file of the regiment of Royal Scots, now forming part of the garrison at Colaba, in the city of Bombay, are moved on parade for Sabbath morning services according to the forms of the Church of Scotland into the shade of a barrack-room or the open air instead of the garrison church; whether the Bishop of Bombay or other ecclesiastical authority has refused the use of the garrison church for these religious services, and, if so, on what grounds; whether the circumstances have yet been brought to the knowledge of the Government in India, and with what result; whether the land on which the church is built was given by the Government of India; and whether any funds for building it were supplied out of the revenues of India and are yearly paid for repairs and caretakers.

THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR INDIA (Mr. MORLEY,) Montrose Burghs

I understand that the Bishop of Bombay at first refused the use of the consecrated church at Colaba for Presbyterian services on the ground that there is a Presbyterian Church available for troops in the Fort at Bombay; but I learn that an arrangement has now been arrived at by which parade services for Scottish troops are held, between May and October inclusive, in the Colaba Church. The Answers to the last three queries are in the affirmative.