HC Deb 11 July 1917 vol 95 cc1942-3W
Mr. KING

asked the Secretary of State for India whether his attention has been called to Sir Havelock Charles' description of the Sepoys hospitals as a disgrace to the Government of India; and, if so, whether he has taken any steps, and when, to terminate this condition of affairs at all costs and without delay?

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN

I will deal with the general question of hospital accommodation in India to-morrow. Meanwhile I will ask the hon. Member to refer to my reply to the Noble Lord the Member for South Nottingham on the 4th of this month.

Mr. KING

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that Sir Malcolm Morris went out to India in 1913 to investigate the medical conditions there; whether he visited the military hospitals and reported on them; whether he made any such representations as to warn the India Office or the Government of India of the deficiencies now revealed; and whether any steps were taken as a result of Sir Malcolm Morris's visit?

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN

Yes, Sir. It was my good fortune to preside at a meeting of the Royal Society of Arts on 27th March last when a paper on medical research work in India, prepared by Sir Pardey Lukis, Director-General of the Indian Medical Service, was read by Sir Havelock Charles, medical adviser to the Secretary of State and Dean of the London School of Tropical Medicine. In the discussion which followed Sir Malcolm Morris gave a brief but very interesting account of his visit to India and of the admirable scientific work which was being done there and spoke of the great opportunities which India offered for students and of the great results which might follow from their labours. I believe that Sir Malcolm Morris, while in India, was afforded facilities for seeing whatever he wished, but as far as I know he made no report to the Government of India and certainly he made none to the India Office.