HC Deb 18 July 1927 vol 209 cc5-6
7. Mr. WARDLAW-MILNE

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he has caused any inquiries to be made regarding the assault upon an Indian servant at Spencer's Hotel, Madras; and, if so, what the results of his inquiries are?

Earl WINTERTON

Yes, Sir. My Noble Friend caused a letter to be sent to the Government of India by last mail asking whether the particulars furnished by the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Preston (Mr. T. Shaw) are sufficient to enable them, after this considerable lapse of time, to obtain any information regarding the case. Some weeks must necessarily elapse before the results can be received. I would add that I have been unable to trace in the British or Indian Army List the name Bramby mentioned by the right hon. Gentleman.

Mr. WARDLAW-MILNE

Is the Noble Lord aware that the facts of this case are well known in Madras and to many people now in this country, and that no assault was committed by a European officer on a servant in India, but that it was a European lady—woman—who committed an assault upon a servant, and can these facts not be made public at once?

Earl WINTERTON

I have received indirectly certain information from a responsible but not an official source, and I have taken steps to verify that information. The information appears to relate to the same incident as that mentioned by the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Preston. but it differs in many important and material particulars from the version given by the right hon. Gentleman.

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