§ MR. E. STANHOPEasked the Secretary of State for India, Whether, before a final decision is arrived at by him and his Council upon the recommendations of the Government of India as to the Report of the Simla Army Commission, he will lay upon the Table either a Copy of the Report or of the Recommendations of the Government of India?
THE MARQUESS OF HARTINGTONSir, I am afraid I cannot add much to the reply which I gave to the hon. Gentleman last February. Some of the recommendations of the Commissioners and of the Government of India have been adopted and carried into effect; and, therefore, so far as they are concerned, the Report cannot be laid on the Table before a final decision is arrived at. As to other very important recommendations, I am sorry to say that much difference of opinion exists among my advisers at home, civil and military, and the most careful consideration is necessary before coming to a final decision upon them. If the views of the Government of India are fully adopted, legislation will be necessary, and I will, of course, take care that the House has full information before it is asked to legislate. If, on the other hand, the recommendations of the Government of India are finally negatived or materially altered, it will also be necessary that the House should have the materials for forming a judgment on the policy of the 472 Government, and some portions, at least, of the Report and of the Correspondence will be necessary for this purpose. But I cannot think it expedient that while some of the most important questions raised by the Report are still under consideration, any of these Papers should be presented to Parliament.