§ MR. M'LARENasked the Secretary of State for India, Whether there is now any objection, since the death of the Ex-Gaekwar of Baroda, to the widowed Ranees having confidential communications with Mr. Kavanagh in his capacity as Counsel of the deceased Ex-Gaekwar and of themselves; whether the Government of India will give facilities for handing over to the Ranees, as the legal personal representatives of the deceased Ex-Gaekwar, the moneys saved out of the stipend lately allowed to him, the other personal property at Doveton House, Madras, and the crore and a half of rupees or thereabouts which form the dowry given to them on their marriage, and which the Government of India is holding on their behalf; and, whether the Government of India will allow the younger Ranee to receive the property formerly belonging to her deceased son?
THE MARQUESS OF HARTINGTONIn reply to the first Question of the hon. Member, I have to say that the matter of confidential communications between Mr. Kavanagh and the widows of the Ex-Gaekwar of Baroda is one which lies entirely within the discretion of the Indian authorities. Mr. Kavanagh has been accordingly informed, in answer to a letter on the subject sent to the India Office, that any application he may have to make in regard to it should be addressed to the Government of India. With reference to the remaining Questions of the hon. Member, I have only to say that the Government of India will, no doubt, give immediate attention to all matters which may require their intervention or decision consequent on the death of Mulhar Rao. Certain claims, however, made on behalf of the 1371 Ex-Gaekwar to balance of stipend and private property alleged to belong to himself and his Ranees have been declared by the Government of India, after careful investigation, to be inadmissible, and this decision has been approved by the Home Government. As to the property said to belong to the deceased son of the younger Ranee, the Government of India are making inquiries into the matter, the result of which inquiries is not yet known at the India Office.