§ SIR WILLIAM M'ARTHURasked the Under Secretary of State for India, Whether the principle of the Procedure Bill, which confers increased jurisdiction over Europeans on certain classes of native magistrates, has been supported by many eminent authorities unconnected with the present Government of India; and whether, before the recent decision was arrived at, the subject had been under consideration for many years?
§ MR. J. K. CROSSSir, the extension of the jurisdiction of the Criminal Courts over European British subjects outside the Presidency towns has been under the consideration of the Government of India for many years. The necessity for the extension has been recognized by many eminent authorities unconnected with the present Government of India.