HC Deb 08 June 1882 vol 270 cc481-2
MR. O'DONNELL

asked the Secretary of State for India, "Whether the cargoes of petroleum stopped for inflammability at Calcutta, but admitted, by special privilege, on receipt of information from the Home Government, were intended for the use of Government, or for sale to the people of India; who were the shippers of the said cargoes, and what representations were made on their behalf at the India Office; whether it is permissible in England to suspend the safeguards and prohibitions against the importation and sale of dangerous oils in England; and, whether the Government of India will grant compensation in case of loss of life or injury to person or property arising from the use of the inflammable petroleum landed at Calcutta by the special licence of the Indian authorities?

THE MARQUESS OF HARTINGTON

The hon. Member had probably placed the Question on the Paper before I had answered the Question of the hon. Member for Carlow (Mr. Macfarlane) on Tuesday. The cargoes of petroleum in question were not admitted into India, but are still under detention. They were for sale, not Government stores. The shippers were Messrs. Wallace Brothers and Messrs. Blackwood and Conor. I stated on Tuesday the nature of the representations they made at this office. The Legislature in India, as in England, can, of course, modify existing Petroleum Acts. If the Indian law is modified by the Legislature no question of compensation can arise.

MR. O'DONNELL

asked whether the quantity of petroleum in question was not nearly 3,000,000 gallons, and whether the objection to landing it in India was not that according to the temperature of India it was, in its present state, explosable? He also asked if the noble Lord would give a pledge that none of the petroleum should be landed in an explosable condition?

THE MARQUESS OF HARTINGTON

Sir, I stated on Tuesday what I believed the quantity of the petroleum to be. No petroleum can be landed in India until the Act is modified, except under the conditions of the existing law. I have not received any additional information from the Government of India, but I have reason to believe that they have postponed legislation for a time, in consequence of representations made to them in India.