§ 3 and 4. Mr. ATTLEEasked the Under-Secretary of State for India (1) why troops are kept in unhealthy barracks, such as Ghorpuri; and why barracks such as Nowshera, intended for 600 men, are occupied by 850 when there are empty barracks in healthy cantonments available for occupation:
(2) whether he is aware of the unsatisfactory condition of many of the barracks in India, the lack of bathing facilities at Cherat and Nowshera, and the defective illumination of the men's quarters in the barracks at Cawnpore and Belgaum; and whether he will take steps to see that British soldiers in India are given amenities more comparable to these obtaining in this country?
§ Earl WINTERTONI will answer these questions together. The question of the improvement of the barrack accommodation and amenities in India is one that has been engaging the close attention of my Noble Friend, and he is now in correspondence with the Government of India on the subject. I have no detailed information regarding the particular points mentioned by the hon. Member as to the barracks at Nowshera and "Cherat, but, if he wishes. I will have inquiries made. At Ghorpuri the barracks are in process of reconstruction. As regards electrification a large programme has been approved under which all barracks for British troops will eventually be electrified, and progress has been made annually. The Government of India are now considering what steps can be taken to accelerate the completion of that programme. According to the latest information received from the Government of India the barracks at Cawnpore have already been completely electrified.
§ Mr. ATTLEEMay I ask the Noble Lord why it was that new barracks erected at Cawnpore and Belgaum were furnished only with feeble oil illumination, instead of electricity?
§ Earl WINTERTONI must ask the hon. Gentleman to allow me to look into that matter. I was not aware of the lighting arrangements of these new barracks. The process of improvement of barracks has been going on for a long time past. Progress would be quicker but for the fact that the cost incurred is very large, and the Central Government of India wish to spread it over many years.
§ Mr. ATTLEEWhy, when there are empty barracks and cantonments, are men so overcrowded at Nowshera?
§ Earl WINTERTONThe answer is obviously because it is desirable, and indeed necessary, for military reasons, to place the troops in the areas where they are required. It may be the case that in some areas there are good barracks, though at present unoccupied or only partially occupied, and other areas with bad barracks which have to be occupied for the time being until better accommodation is available.