§ DR. CAMERON (Glasgow, College)asked the Under Secretary of State for India, Whether his attention has been called to a Memorandum of the Governor General of India, dated 25th February 1886, in which His Excellency recommends "that great pains should betaken to administer justice (in Upper Burmah) in such a manner as will stand the test of searching public criticism;" whether it is true that for months after His Excellency's recommendation Native prisoners in Mandalay were tried by Captain Adamson, an Artillery officer destitute of legal training, privately at his own house, and without right of appeal; whether any record of the evidence was or is kept; whether the system continues in operation; and, whether he has any objection to lay upon the Table of the House a Return showing the number of prisoners tried by Captain Adamson, since February last, who have been shot or hanged, the number of prisoners sentenced by him to transportation and im- 1185 prisonment, and the number of thousands of years to which these aggregate sentences amount, and the number of prisoners flogged, with the aggregate number of lashes inflicted?
§ THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE (Sir JOHN GORST) (Chatham)I cannot identify the particular Memorandum referred to in the Question; but the words quoted correctly represent the views which the Viceroy has always held on the administration of justice in Upper Burmah. Captain Adamson has been in civil employment in Burmah since 1871. He was seven years an Assistant Magistrate, chiefly stationed at Rangoon; three years Assistant Commissioner, and nearly five years Deputy Commissioner. At the beginning of this year he was selected, in consequence of his long legal training and experience, for the responsible position of Deputy Commissioner at Mandalay. He remained at this post until compelled by illness to quit it. Trials sometimes took place at his private house, because Court accommodation was limited, and other officers were trying cases in the regular Court. Captain Adamson's house was at all times open to the public. Records of the trials were kept. No radical alteration of the system has been made; but the Government of India are now engaged in framing laws and regulations for the government of Upper Burmah. The Secretary of State is making full inquiry into the administration of the Criminal Law in Upper Burmah; but I cannot undertake to lay any Return upon the Table which would appear to give any countenance to the charge against Captain Adamson suggested in the Question. The Government of India have had full confidence in his zeal, integrity, consideration for the people, and desire to do justice.
§ DR. CAMERONgave Notice that in consequence of the answer of the hon. and learned Gentleman he would call attention to the subject on the Report of the Address.