§ Sir R. Inglis, observing the President of the Board of Control in his place, wished to ask him a question relative to the connection of the East India Company with idolatry in India. In doing so, he did not mean to say that nothing had been done by Government on the subject; on the contrary, he could not but compliment the right hon. Baronet on the progress which the question had made since last year. He wished now to know whether the right hon. Baronet could state whether any measures were in progress, or whether he was prepared to recommend the adoption of any measures, so as speedily to ensure the entire separation of the connection between the East-India Government and the local concerns of the idolatrous temples in India.
§ Sir J. Hobhousesaid, in answer to the question put to him, he had the satisfaction of stating, that he had received by the last mail a memorandum from India on the subject, in a postscript of Which it was stated, that the board of 1584 revenue had been called on by the Government to report in what districts pagodas existed, the management of the affairs of which might be intrusted to persons professing the same faith as those to whom the pagodas belonged, subject to the control of the Zemindars, but without the necessity of submitting their accounts to any of the official collectors. The right hon. Baronet would see, that if these inquiries of Government were fairly carried out, the objectionable connection which he had alluded to would altogether cease. He need hardly assure the right hon. Baronet, that no exertion on his part should be wanting to carry the inquiry into effect, and that he should immediately express his satisfaction at the inquiry which had been instituted, and his desire, that no time might be lost in bringing it to a conclusion.
§ Subject at an end.