§ CAPTAIN KINCAID-SMITH (Warwickshire, Stratford-on-Avon)I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for India under what circumstances the Gordon Highlanders under orders to proceed from Peshawar to Jullundur were suddenly ordered on 13th February, 1908, to proceed within a few days to Calcutta, at great inconvenience and expense to all concerned; whether this alteration in the destination of the Gordon Highlanders was made owing to the want of a Presbyterian Church at Jullundur, or for military reasons, or at the instigation of the Presbyterian Church authorities; and whether it is now proposed to have a separate roster of garrison stations for Scottish regiments by which they will necessarily be restricted to the comparatively few stations where there are Presbyterian Churches.
§ MR. BUCHANANWith regard to the first part of the hon. and gallant Member's Question, I would refer him to the Parliamentary Papers recently issued. As regards the last part of the Question, there has never been any intention of having a separate roster for Scottish regiments. The question how to provide adequate Presbyterian Church accommodation at stations to which Scottish regiments may he sent, where it does not now exist, is under the consideration of the Secretary of State.
§ CAPTAIN KINCAID-SMITHasked for a further Answer to the latter part of the Question.
§ MR. BUCHANANI must demur to the word "instigation." The hon. Member will find a full Answer in the Papers to which I have referred.
§ CAPTAIN KINCAID-SMITHIs it not in accordance with Liberal principles to make these regulations optional with Scottish regiments instead of putting them on a separate roster?
§ MR. BUCHANANThere is no separate roster.
§ MR. MITCHELL-THOMSONCan the hon. Gentleman make a statement showing at what stations there are Presbyterian Churches?
§ MR. BUCHANANThat is in the Papers.
AN HON. MEMBERAre we to understand that the military stations in India are to be subject to the differences of British denominations in that country?
§ MR. BUCHANANNo, sir.
§ MAJOR ANSTRUTHER-GRAY (St. Andrews Burghs)May I ask how long it will take the Government to arrive at some satisfactory conclusion on this subject?
§ MR. BUCHANANIf the hon. and gallant Gentleman would refer to the statement of the Secretary of State some time ago he would know that we are engaged, and have been for some years, in trying to find the necessary funds.
§ CAPTAIN KINCAID SMITHWill the right hon. Gentlemen cancel this order?
§ MR. BUCHANANNo, Sir.
§ MAJOR ANSTRUTHER-GRAYWill the Government appoint a Commission to inquire into this business?
§ MR. BUCHANANNo, Sir.