§ Mr. MORRELLasked the Under-Secretary of State for India if he can say what was the total number of deaths due to bubonic plague in the United Provinces of Agra and Oudh in the months of February and March; and what practical steps are being taken by the Government of India in the matter?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for INDIA (Mr. Montagu)The number returned for February was 43,508, and for March 95,884. The measures that are being taken are described in a statement recently made in the Legislative Council of the United Provinces, a copy of which I shall be happy to show the hon. Member. Reliance is mainly placed upon evacuation of dwellings and inoculation, together with rat destruction and disinfection of houses.
§ Mr. MORRELLIs it not a fact that this is one of the preventible diseases, and that before 1910 it was practically unknown in those provinces?
§ Mr. MONTAGUIt is recrudescent. It is viewed very seriously by all those scientific and other authorities who were hopeful of a permanent diminution of cases of plague. Every effort is being made to stamp out the disease.
§ Mr. MORRELLWill it be necessary to postpone the Durbar celebration which is to take place in those provinces if those efforts are not successful?
§ Mr. MONTAGUNo, I do not think so.