§ MR. WEIR (Ross and Cromarty)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India if he will suggest to the Government of India the expediency of amending the Cantonment Act of 1899, so as to admit of private house property within cantonments being placed under the control of civil officers.
§ *THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR INDIA (Mr. MORLEY,) Montrose BurghsThe existence of the troops being the object of the cantonment, it is essential that the military authority should have complete control over the general arrangements, and not least over all house property within the cantonment area. The powers given to the magistrate who represents the civil power provide sufficiently for its intervention when necessary, and I am not prepared to suggest the amendment of the Cantonment Act of 1899 in the manner suggested.