§ SIR STAFFORD NORTHCOTESir, I have given private Notice to the Under Secretary of State for India of a Question which I wish to put to him, but which, if he is not able to answer it now, or prefers a longer Notice, I will put next week. Before putting it, I will explain the object I have in asking the Question. Some time ago there appeared in the Press of this country a telegraphic statement, purporting to come through Router's agency, and to be a summary of a debate which took place in the Calcutta Legislature on the Bill now known as Mr. Ilbert's Bill. It was supposed at the time that it was a private communication forwarded by Mr. Reuter; but the Indian papers which have come to this country recently, seem to show or assert that the telegram was forwarded by the Government of India, that the expenses of transmission were defrayed by the Government of India, and that the communication had an authoritative character, though, according to comparisons with the later accounts of the debate, it was not a fair or an accurate summary. I wish to ask, therefore, Whether the telegraphic account of the proceedings was authorized, and if its transmission was directed by the Government of India; whether the expense was defrayed out of the revenues of the Government of India; and, whether, if it was so authorized, there will be any objection to lay it on the Table of the House, so that it can be compared with the fuller reports which have since been received and published on the subject?
§ MR. J. K. CROSSSir, we have not received any communication from the Government of India on the subject of the right hon. Gentleman's Question, and I cannot therefore answer the Question as to whether the cost of the telegram was defrayed by the Government of India; but if the right hon. Gentleman will repeat the Question during the week, I shall be glad to answer it.
§ SIR STAFFORD NORTHCOTEI will repeat the Question on Monday.