§ MR. KELLY (Camberwell, N.)asked the Under Secretary of State for India, Whether his attention has been called to the statements made with reference to Mr. Hughes, on page ix. of the Report from the Select Committee on East India (Hyderabad (Deccan) Mining Company), to the effect that Mr. Hughes, a Government official in India, one of the Superintendents of the Survey, was nevertheless allowed by that Government to be employed and paid by the Hyderabad (Deccan) Company to ascertain the value of the concession obtained from the Nizam, that he received from Mr. W. C. Watson, the promoter and director of the Company, shares of the value of £3,200, only paying £1,000 for them, and that this transaction amounted, according to the statement of Mr. Watson, to a gift by him to Mr. Hughes, who, in return, was to "work and throw his whole energies into it;" whether Mr. 328 Hughes will be required to refund this sum of £2,200 to the shareholders of the Hyderabad (Deccan) Company; whether it is proposed to take, and, if so, what, steps with reference to Mr. Hughes in respect of his transactions with Mr. Watson; whether, whilst employed and paid by Mr. Watson, Mr. Hughes received any official salary as Superintendent of the Survey; and, if so, at what rate per month; and, whether the Indian Government will take the necessary steps so as to prevent for the future their officials from acting for and receiving payment from speculators in that Empire?
§ THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Sir JAMES FERGUSSON) (Manchester, N.E.)(who replied) said: The Secretary of State has noticed the statements, to which the attention of the Government of India will at once be called. Mr. Hughes's services were lent to the Deccan Company, they arranging for his remuneration. During his employment under the Company no salary was paid to him from the Indian Treasury.