§ 36. Mr. WALTER ROCHasked the Secretary of State for India what regiments of Territorials took part in the journey by rail from Karachi to Peshawar; and whether he can state the total number of deaths and of sickness?
§ Mr. CHAMBERLAINDrafts for several regiments aggregating over 1,000 men were sent out together from this country, and I cannot at present give details. They will, no doubt, appear in the Report which I am expecting to receive from India. One hundred and thirty-six cases of heat stroke occurred, of which nineteen have, according to the latest information in my possession, proved fatal.
§ Mr. ROCHCan the right hon. Gentleman say who was responsible for sending these men under those conditions?
§ Mr. CHAMBERLAINPerhaps the hon. Member will wait to hear my answer to the next question.
§ 37. Colonel YATEasked the Secretary of State for India whether the senior officer from the Indian Army Headquarters and the specially selected medical officer deputed to investigate the case of the fatalities that occurred early in June in the troop train at Rohri and other places between Karachi and Lahore have been instructed to report as to who was responsible for the dispatch of these troops up country at that time instead of retaining them in Karachi till the weather was suit- able for travelling; and, if not, whether orders to that effect will now be issued?
§ Mr. CHAMBERLAINI have already given to the House all the information in my possession as to the mission confided to the two officers referred to in the question. I have also informed the House that I have instructed the Government of India that when they have ascertained the facts and fixed the responsibility for this disaster they are to hold the persons responsible to strict account. I have nothing material to add to these statements, but my hon. and gallant Friend may be glad to know that I have asked the Government of India to report specifically on the following questions: Whether the loss of life was due to the route selected or to the lack of proper arrangements for the journey or to both causes combined; and as regards the route chosen, whether it was urgently necessary to send the drafts 1690 by that route at once or whether the drafts could not have been taken to Bombay and detained in stations in the Deccan till the monsoon broke in Northern India?
§ Sir A. MARKHAMDid the Government of India take any steps when this matter was mentioned in the House of Commons, and what is the reason why there should be delay in settling the responsibility in the case of these unfortunate men who lost their lives?
§ Mr. CHAMBERLAINYes; the Government of India instituted an inquiry, I think as soon as the case came to their knowledge, and they informed me of this lamentable occurrence in a telegram—speaking from memory—dated, I think, 15th June; and in the same telegram they reported that they had instituted this inquiry, and also that they are awaiting the result of that inquiry before fixing the responsibility.
§ Sir A. MARKHAMDoes it take six weeks to find who is responsible for sending these men?
§ Mr. CHAMBERLAINThat is not the whole question.
§ Mr. KINGHas the right hon. Gentleman seen Indian newspapers of dates previous to 15th June, showing that there was in the public opinion of India grave ground for inquiry and apprehension?
§ Mr. CHAMBERLAINNo, Sir, I do not remember to have seen them, and I think I can say I have not seen the extracts to which the hon. Gentleman refers, if they are previous to 15th June.
§ Mr. MALCOLMWill the Indian Government reply by telegram to the right hon. Gentleman's question.
§ Mr. CHAMBERLAINYes. I expect a reply from the Government of India by telegram as soon as they are in a position to make it.