§ MR. O'DONNELLasked the Under Secretary of State for India, Whether His Highness the Maharajah of Kuch Bahar is a voluntary visitor to this Country; whether His Highness is not still a minor; and, whether the Home Government has received any Copy of the Petition addressed by the Ranees of Kuch Bahar, the guardians of the young Maharajah, protesting against the alleged forcible removal of His Highness to England under an armed escort, and in spite of the protests of his relatives and of the religious authorities of his caste?
§ MR. E. STANHOPESir, the Maharajah of Kuch Bahar is a minor. He is a voluntary visitor to this country, and was in no way forcibly removed to England under an armed escort. His visit to England was an object which his father had much at heart during his lifetime, and which the Maharajah himself has been determined to carry out. No copy of the Petition mentioned by the hon. Member has been received by the Home Government.