Mr. CHANCELLORasked the Under-Secretary of State for India, if he is aware that the officer commanding the 1st Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers, now stationed at Mhow, India, has relegated to Class 2 service pay, under paragraph 686 of the King's Regulations, as being ineligible for active service, six privates, solely on the ground of their refusal to be inoculated against enteric fever; whether inoculation against this disease is compulsory on objecting soldiers; and, if not, what steps he proposes to take to ensure them against arbitrary penalties for exercising their right to refuse compliance with such orders in future?
§ Mr. MONTAGUInoculation against enteric fever is not compulsory, but in view of the fact that it is highly desirable in the interests of the soldiers themselves to preserve them from dangerous illness, every effort is made to persuade and convince soldiers that they should be inoculated voluntarily. The allegation which the hon. Member makes is quite untrue, and if he would look at the regulation he quotes he would see that it is obviously impossible.