§ MR. VANSITTARTsaid, he would beg to ask the Secretary of State for India, Whether his attention has been drawn to the Report of the Committee of Investigation appointed by the Great Western of Canada Railway Company, in which charges have been made affecting the character of Mr. Laing, the Financial Secretary of the Legislative Council of Calcutta; and, if so, whether it is the intention of Her Majesty's Government to cause inquiry to be made as to the truth or otherwise of the charges in question?
§ SIR CHARLES WOODSir, in answer to the Question of my hon. Friend I have to state that my attention was called on Thursday to the Report of the Committee of shareholder in the Great Western Canada Railway which appeared in The Times. I can only say that it took roe as much by surprise as I believe it did everybody else in London. I had taken 880 pains before Mr. Laing's appointment to learn if there was any reason from his having been connected with railways why he should not be appointed to India. Two members of my Council, more or less connected with the City, made inquiries at my request; and the result was that he bore a high character amongst those connected with railways as elsewhere. Of late years he had constantly been a referee between railway companies who sought his advice, and that with the fairness and impartiality of his decisions they were perfectly satisfied. Therefore, I can only say that I was as much surprised as any one at the announcement that appeared on Thursday. Certainly, it will be my duty to inquire further into those circumstances. Indeed, I have, to a certain extent, inquired from several persons connected with those transactions. It is obvious, from the Report itself, that further investigation—legal investigation—is considered even by them to be necessary. Information which I have received from the chairman and directors leads me to the conclusion that the statement is very much of an ex parte character. At present, and until further information is received, it would be very unfair to the House, and especially unfair to Mr. Laing, to pronounce any opinion on the subject; and, therefore, I would beg of hon. Gentlemen to suspend their judgment until both sides of the case are before them.