DR. RUTHERFORD (Middlesex, Brentford)To ask the Secretary of State for India how many deaths have 1384 occurred in India from plague since the outbreak in 1896; how many deaths from plague have been reported for each week during this year, 1907; and which provinces are the most affected.
(Answered by Mr. Secretary Morley.) The recorded deaths from plague in India, including Native States, from September, 1896, to end of March, 1907, are approximately 5,012,000. The monthly Returns which I receive from India show 58,438 deaths in January, 98,397 deaths in February, 171,522 deaths in March of the present year. I hope that the hon. Member will be satisfied with monthly totals. The provinces most affected are the United Provinces, the Punjab, Bengal, and Bombay.