§ MR. BAILLIESir, I wish to ask the noble Lord (Lord John Russell) the question of which I have given notice. The noble Lord is probably aware that the Committee now sitting on Indian Affairs will not be able to make a final report until a late period of the Session, The question that I wish to ask, therefore, is, whether it is the intention of the Government to legislate for India, permanently, during the present Session; and, if so, whether the noble Lord is able to state when the Bill for that purpose will be laid on the table of the House?
§ LORD JOHN RUSSELLSir, in answer to the question of the hon. Gentleman, I have to state that it is the intention of Her Majesty's Government to introduce a Bill in the course of the present Session for the government of India—I do not say the permanent government, but for a period to be named in the Bill. I cannot at present state exactly the time when the Bill will be introduced; but due notice will be given, and due time will be afforded to the House to discuss a Bill of so important a nature before the end of the Session.
MR. HUMEWill the noble Lord allow me to ask a question on this subject? The Committee, I understand, have laid down eight heads for inquiry; but up to the close of last Session they had only finished one of these heads. I therefore wish to know whether, the Committee having laid down a plan for their investigations, it is the intention of the Government to bring in a Bill and pass it before the inquiry has been concluded?
§ LORD JOHN RUSSELLIn answer to the question of my hon. Friend, I can only repeat what I have already said, that it is the intention of the Government to introduce a Bill for the government of India in the course of the present Session.
§ House adjourned at One o'clock.