§ MR. KELLY (Camberwell, N.)asked the Under Secretary of State for India, Whether he will inform the House if he is aware of any negotiations now being on foot with the object of obtaining from the Nizam's Government an alteration of the terms of the contract made between that Government and Mr. Watson, such alteration being intended to include some fresh arrangement with reference to the royalties payable by the Deccan Mining Company; whether any such negotiations could proceed without sooner or later passing through the Residency at Hyderabad; and whether he will undertake that no alteration in the terms of the original contract should be sanctioned by the Indian Government if it were detrimental to the interests of the Nizam?
§ THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE (Sir JOHN GORST) (Chatham)The Secretary of State is aware that proposals relating to the Deccan Mining Company are now under the consideration of the Nizam's Government at Hyderabad, in consultation with the Resident. No terms have been yet submitted for the approval of the Secretary of State in Council; but, of course, no alteration detrimental to the interests of the Nizam will be sanctioned.
§ SIR JOHN GORSTYes; certainly.