§ MR. LABOUCHERE (Northampton)asked the First Lord of the Treasury, Whether he will state what facilities he will give with a view to a Motion being moved for the appointment of a Select Committee to inquire into the alleged malpractices connected with the Deccan Mining Company (Limited)?
§ THE FIRST LORD (Mr. W. H. SMITH) (Strand, Westminster)Perhaps the House will allow me to read a telegram which has been received by the Secretary of State in Council from the Viceroy on this subject. It is to this effect—
"I consulted my Council to-day in reference to the Hyderabad Mining Concession. Government of India have no objection to the matter being fully investigated, either by Select Committee, or by any other tribunal your Lordship might approve of. Issues raised seem to lie between Abdul Huk and Hyderabad Government on one hand, and concessionaires and shareholders on the other, Government of India expressly decline all responsibility with regard to the purchase of the shares by Nizam's Government."
§ Under these circumstances, the Government will certainly offer no objection whatever to the appointment of the Committee which the hon. Gentleman desires. I will confer with him as to the best method by which that Committee should be appointed, and as to the date on which the modification should be brought forward.