§ DR. TANNER (Cork Co., Mid)asked the Under Secretary of State for India, Whether it is a fact that the British Government promoted the election of the present Gaekwar to the throne of Baroda; whether it is true that he was adopted by the widow of Khanderao, the late Gaekwar; whether the present Gaekwar is legitimately or illegitimately descended from Pilaprao, the founder of the race of Gaekwars; whether it is a fact that in India adopted heirs are elected only in the case of failure of lineal, direct, and natural descendants; whether the present reigning Gaekwar has a father, an elder brother, and two uncles alive; whether the prior claims of other members of his family were taken into account; whether his father is descended from a Hindoo class known as Lakeali; and, whether a Commission of Inquiry into the rights of sovereignty of the present ruler will be instituted, as happened in the case of the succession to the Tanjore throne in 1798?
§ THE UNDER SECRETARY (Sir JOHN GORST) (Chatham)I regret the impossibility of discussing the pedigree of the reigning Gaekwar of Baroda within the limits of an answer to a Question. The selection of the present Gaekwar took place more than 11 years ago, as an act of State, after full consideration by the Government of India. The right of the Gaekwar depends upon that selection, and no dispute or question of that right for any reasons whatever will be permitted by Her Majesty's Government.