MR. STAVELEY HILL Staffordshire, Kingswinford)asked the Under Secretary of State for India, Whether the offer of Captain Pratten, on behalf 333 of Messrs. Streeter, to take a lease of the Ruby Mines in Burmah under certain conditions as to the working and arrangements with the Natives, was formally accepted by the Indian Government; was this acceptance given with the full knowledge of Lord Kimberley; did the Messrs. Streeter fully undertake all the conditions required; and, upon what ground has the present Secretary of State for India repudiated these arrangements?
THE UNDER SECRETARY or STATE (Sir JOHN GORST) (Chatham)(1) There was no such acceptance as to make a binding contract. (2) Lord Kimberley was aware of what took place. (3) I understand. they wore ready to do so. (4) The Secretary of State has not repudiated any arrangement which had become binding on the Government of India.