§ 5. Mr. HIRSTasked the Secretary of State for India whether he has now made inquiries into the question of the occupation of part of the Sawe Dagon Pagoda 342 Hill, in Burma, by the military as a fort and arsenal; and whether he will take steps to have such occupation terminated?
§ Mr. MONTAGUThe result of the inquiries I have made is that the Government of India have reported that no portion of the pagoda precincts used for religious purposes is occupied by the military, but the arsenal is situated within the outer boundary limits of the pagoda. Prior to the second Burmese War of 1852 the pagoda formed an integral part of the fortifications defending Rangoon, and, in fact, was the citadel, so that in occupying the precincts the precedent of the Burmese themselves has been followed. The pagoda hill is strategically important, but the local government of Burma and the local military authorities are considering the possibility of removing the arsenal elsewhere and of levelling the defences.