§ MR. E. STANHOPEasked the Under Secretary of State for India, Whether the Government has received any confirmation of the reports of horrible outrages upon English ladies in Calcutta and Howrah? Perhaps the hon. Gentleman will allow me also to say that a 940 number of letters have reached me on the subject. Three outrages are said to have occurred, one of the ladies being the wife of the Public Prosecutor.
§ MR. J. K. CROSSThe Government of India has not given us any information on the subject; and if the hon. Gentleman will give me any authentic statements on which I can make inquiries or base a question, I will take care that inquiry shall be made.
§ MR. E. STANHOPESince the subject was mentioned by the deputation to Lord Kimberley on Thursday last, has any inquiry been made?
§ MR. J. K. CROSSNo, Sir. We have searched all the records. No inquiry has been made, and we have received nothing authentic to induce us to make inquiry. I shall be very glad to institute inquiries if the hon. Gentleman would put us in the possession of more authentic information.
§ MR. E. STANHOPEI will put the hon. Gentleman in the possession of the facts I have.
§ MR. O'DONNELLWhilst he is on the subject, could not the hon. Gentleman obtain a statement of the annual number of outrages on English women by English men?