§ GENERAL SIR GEORGE BALFOURasked the Secretary of State for India, If, according to ordinary custom, he will grant further Papers in connection with the Nizam, the Berars, and Debt, in continuation of the Papers previously granted, viz., Return 418 of 1854, No. 234 of 1859, No. 338 of 1867, and No. 29 of 1867–8; and, if the very confi- 875 dential Papers to which, reference has been made will be communicated to the Ministers of the Nizam, in order that any allegations contained therein may be met and dealt with in an open and fair manner?
THE MARQUESS OF HARTINGTONSir, in the year 1878 it was finally decided by the Government, after long consideration and various decisions upon the subject, to decline to re-open at present the question of Berar; and it was added that upon the Nizam attaining his majority and undertaking the government of his State, if he should desire to bring the whole of the Treaty arrangements between the two Governments under general revision, the British Government would take his request into consideration. This intimation was given on the understanding that it was not to prejudice the discretion of the Government of the day in dealing with any question that might be submitted by the Nizam. The Hyderabad Ministers accepted this decision in writing, expressing the bonâ fide intention of not authorizing or engaging in any future agitation of the question during the term specified. Under these circumstances, it would not be expedient or consistent with the public interest to publish the Papers asked for; and there is no intention on the part of the Government to make such a communication as is suggested in the latter part of the Question of my hon. and gallant Friend. With respect to a communication I have received from my hon. Friend the Member for Carlisle (Sir Wilfrid Lawson), who wishes to know whether the Government will lay on the Table Papers on the same subject, the answer that I have just given will suffice.