§ MR. O'DONNELLasked the Secretary of State for India, If it is true, as stated in the Calcutta correspondence of the "Times," that, immediately on the receipt of a communication from him, Lord Ripon caused a measure to be introduced into the Indian Legislative Council relaxing the precautions on the importation of petroleum into India; 1242 whether it is true that immediately on the receipt of another communication from him Lord Ripon suspended further progress with the measure in question; whether he will lay Copies of these communications upon the Table of the House; how many members of the Indian Legislative Council were present at the meeting of that body at which the measure relaxing the precautions on the importation of petroleum was introduced, and what were their names; and, whether Government will take steps to secure some representation of the interests of 200,000,000 subjects of the Crown?
THE MARQUESS OF HARTINGTONSir, as I have already stated, the measure was introduced in consequence of certain communications made to the Government of India. Its progress appears to have been suspended in consequence of representations which have been made in India, and not, so far as I am aware, in consequence of any communication from me. The correspondence which has passed with the Government of India is entirely telegraphic, and necessarily represents imperfectly the facts which were before me. As soon as it is sufficiently complete to give full information, there will probably be no objection to its production. The Secretary of State has frequently expressed a strong opinion as to the undesirability of carrying on important legislation at Simla in the absence of unofficial members of the Legislative Council; but it is evident that this matter was urgent, and, if dealt with at all, did not admit of delay.
§ MR. O'DONNELLCan the noble Lord give the House any information respecting the number of Members of the Legislative Council, who took upon themselves to move in this matter?
THE MARQUESS OF HARTINGTONNo, Sir; all that we know has reached us by telegraph, and I have already communicated it to the House.