HC Deb 12 March 1885 vol 295 cc889-90
SIR HERBERT MAXWELL

asked the Under Secretary of State for India a Question of which he had given private Notice—Whether the telegraphic information in The Times of this morning was correct, that the Bengal Tenancy Bill had passed without much alteration from the state in which it left the Select Committee; and, whether 250 Zemindars came to Calcutta to petition the Viceroy for delay, and that the delay had been refused?

MR. J. K. CROSS

The Bill has passed. After the discussion that took place on the Motion of the hon. Baronet the other night for the adjournment of the House, I sent the following telegram to the Viceroy:— Statement telegraphed by Durbhunga, made in Parliament that you are pressing through Bent Bill without giving time for translation into vernacular. Reason given that you wish to go to Simla. What shall I answer? I have received this morning a telegram, of which the following is an abstract:— From Viceroy, March 11, 1885.—Statement absolutely unfounded. Bill already twice translated into vernacular. Select Committee held 64 meetings. Of these 28 held in Calcutta within last few months. Maharajah attended only seven. Committee consisted of 11 Members, of whom only two go to Simla; and decided vernacular re-publication unnecessary, because almost all alterations were excisions favourable to Zemindars, and not new clauses. After Bill reported fortnight elapsed before considered by Legislative Council. First Motion in Council was for suspension by Zemindar Representative, which was lost by 18 to 2. Two Native Members, who do not go to Simla, had voted before Members of Executive Council were called on to vote. Members representing ryots' interests voted in majority. Bill passed to-day without division after seven days' debate. I was not able to get the exact wording of the telegram which the hon. Baronet had quoted, as when I asked the hon. Baronet for it he had left it at home.

SIR HERBERT MAXWELL

explained that he was not asked for the telegram until after dinner, when he had changed his clothes and left the telegram at home.