§ SIR W. J. COLLINSTo ask the Under-Secretary of State for India whether his attention has been called to the observations of Lieutenant-Colonel A. Buchanan, I.M.S, on the propagation of plague in India by means of rats, and to his conclusion that the best way to prevent plague in India is the any this by keeping cats; and whether Government of India have formed opinion as to the soundness of conclusion.
(Answered by Mr. Buchanan.) The Secretary of State is aware that Lieutenant-Colonol Buchanan, in letters appearing in the Indian newspapers, has recommended the public to set greater store on cats as the simplest way of keeping down rats. In urging this Colonel Buchanan is not opposed to other methods of prevention. The Secretary of State is not aware that the Government of India have formed any opinion on the subject.