§ Mr. KEIR HARDIEasked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he 2422 can state the sum budgeted for by the Government of India for dealing with the plague which is now ravaging certain districts?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for INDIA (Mr. Montagu)Provision for plague expenditure and for other sanitary and medical charges is made in the Indian Estimates under the head "Medical," for which a sum of £1,301,600 has been allotted. I am unable to give the estimate for plague expenditure separately. In addition to the provision made in the public accounts considerable sums are expended on account of plague by district boards and municipalities. In 1908–9 recurring grants aggregating £200,000 a year were made to the provincial Governments by the Government of India for expenditure on sanitary improvements with special reference to the prevention of plague. And in 1910–11 non-recurring grants aggregating £380,000 were made for the same purpose.
§ Mr. KEIR HARDIEasked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that the increase in mortality from plague during the cold season is due to the fact that people are then driven indoors to sleep in their plague-infested huts; and whether the Government contemplates making financial provision for the erection of sanitary houses in health camps at each of the infested districts?
§ Mr. MONTAGUThe increased prevalence of plague in certain parts of India at the present time of the year is believed to be due to the fact that this is the season of greatest prevalence of rats and rat fleas. It is a well-recognised measure of precaution that on the first sign of the presence of plague the residents should evacuate their dwellings. The Government and the local authorities encourage and assist them to do this by the supply of tents and hutting materials, by erecting temporary dwellings, by providing guards for the vacated houses, and by money rewards. Expenditure on this account is included in the grants mentioned in my answer to the hon. Member's previous question. Special grants have also been made to local Governments by the Government of India for the purpose of improving general sanitary conditions, including the housing accommodation of the population.
§ Mr. KEIR HARDIECan the hon. Gentleman state how many people are at the present time in these health camps or sanitary houses in the plague districts?
§ Mr. MONTAGUI must ask the hon. Gentleman to give notice of that question.