§ MR. BRADLAUGH (Northampton)asked the Under Secretary of State for India, Whether the application, in consequence of which one of the representatives of Messieurs Streeter was authorized to accompany the Ruby Mines Expedition, was in writing, and to whom it was addressed; and, whether any written communication as to the leasing, or renting, or working the Ruby Mines has been received by the Government, or communicated to the Government, from Messieurs Streeter, or any person on their behalf; and, if so, what reply, if any, has been made by or with the knowledge of the Government?
§ THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE (Sir JOHN GORST) (Chatham)The application of Mr. Streeter, junior, to accompany the Ruby Mines Expedition was made and assented to in Burmah. The Secretary of State is not aware in what form it was made. Communications between Mr. Streeter and other applicants, and the Government of India, as to leasing or working the Ruby Mines, took place in the spring of last year. Such negotiations were subsequently suspended, pending inquiries on the spot. It is, therefore, impossible, at the present time, to make any communication to the House as to the nature of any offers made, or of the replies of the Government of India.