§ Major ASTORasked the Secretary of State for India whether recently some men died and others collapsed through being overcrowded and through lack of proper arrangements when being sent by train from Karachi to Northern India; and, if so, if he will state how many men died and how many collapsed, and who was responsible for this unnecessary suffering and loss of life.
§ Mr. BROOKESasked the Secretary of State for India whether his attention has been called to the fact that nine Territorials recently died from heat apoplexy, while thirty more were seriously ill, in one troop train in Sind; and whether he will give instructions for the maximum consideration to be shown to those units of the British Army who, under entirely novel conditions, are serving their country in India?
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§ Mr. CHAMBERLAINI will read the telegrams which I have received from the Viceroy on this subject. On the 15th June the Viceroy telegraphed as follows
We regret to report fifty cases with twelve deaths from heat stroke occurred amongst drafts ex hired transport 'Ballarat' on the railway journey between Karachi and Lahore, Troop train left Karachi 5th, June with thirteen officers and 1,013 men. On reaching Rohri thirty-two men were removed to Civil Hospital, Sukkur, suffering from heat stroke, of whom twelve died, and eighteen more cases occurred, before train reached Lahore. Train carried three medical officers, had two second class carnages fitted up as hospitals with fans and was provided with coffee shop and good supply of ice; no overcrowding, thirty men in four wheelers and sixty in bogies; normal carrying capacity for troops is thirty-six and seventy-two, respectively. Arrangements have been made to send to hill depots all men who have been suffering from the rail journey. Orders have been issued stopping all further movement of troops by rail from Karachi to Northern India. A complete report of the occurrence will be furnished at an early date.A further telegram, on the 19th June, added that the total number of heat stroke cases was 136, with fifteen deaths. All sick reported doing well. On the 15th July, in reply to a further inquiry, I received the following telegram:In reply to your inquiry, dated 11th July. Karachi was selected as the port of disembarkation as the majority of the drafts on board the 'Ballarat' were for units in the 4th, 1st, and 2nd Divisions, namely, Quetta, Peshawar, and Rawal Pindi. Drafts for the Lucknow and Mhow Divisions disembarked at a later date.To-day I have received a further telegram as follows:With reference to the inquiries in your telegram dated 14th July, the case is being investigated by a Senior Officer from Army Headquarters and a specially selected medical officer. They left for Karachi on the 7th instant with instructions to visit all stations along the line where fatalities occurred, collecting evidence and submitting a full report as soon as possible after their return to Simla about the 28th instant.