§ 6. Mr. KINGasked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether any of the Christian places of worship in India receive maintenance grants; and whether any of the bishops, Anglican or Roman Catholic, or any other ecclesiastical persons receive salaries or allowances from funds provided by Indian taxation?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for INDIA (Mr. Montagu)The answer to both parts of the question is in the affirmative.
§ 7. Mr. KINGasked the Under-Secretary of State for India how many Roman Catholic places of worship have been erected in India since 1905 towards which the Government have made contributions; what is the total cost of the erection of all such Roman Catholic places of worship; and what proportion of the total cost, including cost of site, has been contributed by the Government?
§ Mr. MONTAGUFrom the list already communicated to the hon. Member, it appears that twelve Roman Catholic places of worship have been erected in India since 1905, towards which Government have made contributions. The Government of India have promised to furnish information in regard to parts two and three of the question as soon as possible.
§ 8. Mr. KINGasked the Under-Secretary of State for India how many Christian places of worship are now under construction in India towards which the Government have given, or have promised, contributions; what is the total amount of the contributions promised; and whether the whole of these contributions are borne upon the general revenues of India towards which Hindus, Mohamedans, and other non-Christian inhabitants contribute?
§ Mr. MONTAGUAll Government contributions towards churches are borne upon the general revenues of India. The Government of India have promised information in regard to the number of churches now under construction towards which Government contributions have been promised, and the amount of such contributions.
§ 9. Mr. KINGasked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he will explain the conditions under which Government grants have been made for railway churches in Bombay, Burmah, and the Punjaub; whether these railway churches are available for all employés of the railway who may desire the use of them for organised religious services; and whether annual grants are made towards the upkeep and administration of these churches?
§ Mr. MONTAGUThe conditions under which Government grants are made for railway churches are contained in Rules 12 to 15 of the rules regulating grants for the building of churches. A copy of these Rules can be furnished to my hon. Friend. The Government of India have promised information on parts two and three of the question.
§ Mr. KINGWill the right hon. Gentleman send me the Rules to which he refers? Will he also see that the Government of India reconsider the whole of the policy which is referred to in these questions, especially in view of the fact that several 1837 members of the Government protested against the policy now being carried out before they got into office?
§ Mr. MONTAGUI shall certainly send my hon. Friend the Rules; but I am not prepared to give an undertaking on behalf of the Secretary of State to re-consider the policy.
§ 10. Sir J. D. REESasked the Under- Secretary of State for India (1) whether the proceeds of taxation in India, or any portions of such proceeds, are administered in view to the advantage exclusively of any one of the different religions obtaining in that Empire; and, if so, of which of such different religions; and (2) whether the Government of India recognises Hindus and Mohamedans as coming within one and Christians as coming within another category of religion; and, if so, upon what religious or other principle such discrimination depends?
§ Mr. MONTAGUThe answer to both is in the negative, except that Government has recognised the necessity of helping to provide religious ministrations for its Christian servants, civil and military, whom it has brought to India, and who, unlike adherents of certain other faiths, find no indigenous religious organisation at work in the country. I might mention, however, that religious instructors are attached to the majority of native Infantry regiments.
§ 12. Sir J. D. REESasked the Under- Secretary of State for India how many Nonconformist places of worship have been erected in India since 1905 towards which the Government has made contributions; what is the total cost of the erection of all such places of worship; and what proportion of the total cost, including cost of site, has been contributed by the Government?
§ Mr. MONTAGUThe Government of India has promised to furnish the information asked for as soon as possible.