HC Deb 15 November 1888 vol 330 cc1222-3
MR. BRADLAUGH (Northampton)

asked the Under Secretary of State for India, Whether the Secretary of State is aware that, in a letter addressed to the Viceroy, and which the officiating Agent refused to forward, the Begum of Bhopal wrote— The Agent of the British Government accredited to a friendly Court did not think it unbecoming the dignity of such a position to use such language as the following in his public communications with my vakeel;— 'My orders are not being carried out. Does not the Begum Sahiba know me yet? If there were a thousand creatures like that disturber, Siddick Hussun, nay, a thousand obstinate devils, I shall not rest until my orders are obeyed;' and, whether the Government will lay upon the Table the Correspondence relating to the complaints of the Begum against Sir Lepel Griffin?

THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE (Sir JOHN GORST) (Chatham)

The reply to the first Question is in the negative; and with regard to the second, the Secretary of State has no Correspondence relating to the matter which could, in his judgment, be usefully laid before Parliament.

MR. BRADLAUGH

Does the officiating Agent report to the Secretary of State when he refuses to forward Correspondence?

SIR JOHN GORST

I must ask the hon. Member to give Notice of that Question.