§ COLONEL STUART KNOXasked the Under Secretary of State for India, Whether the regulations for the European Officers in India are published by the authority of the Secretary of State for India in Council; Whether the Regulation at page 608, of the second edition of that Code, which sets forth that under the Act 3 & 4 Vic. c. 65, s. 22, "the final decision in all disputed questions of prize now rests with the High Court of Admiralty," has been or is to be cancelled; and, whether any of the Public Departments claim the right to supersede the jurisdiction of the Court of Admiralty, and to adjudicate, without a direct appointment from the Crown, on questions concerning booty of war; and, if so, under what Act of Parliament or what other authority?
MR. GRANT DUFFIn reply, Sir, to the hon. and gallant Member's first and second Questions, I have to say that the words "By authority" appear on the title-page of the book about which he asks, but that book is a mere compilation of official documents, and only authoritative in so far as it cites or renders with precise accuracy the meaning of official documents. The words quoted in the hon. and gallant Member's second Question form no part of any official document, and are a mere introduction prefixed by the compiler to a section of an Act of Parliament which he sets out in full, and the meaning of which is perfectly explicit. In reply to the hon. and gallant Member's third Question, I have 147 to say that I am not aware that any Public Department claims any right to supersede the jurisdiction of the Court of Admiralty.