§ SIR GEORGE CAMPBELL (Kirkcaldy, &c.)asked the Under Secretary of State for India, If Her Majesty's Government propose to take any action with reference to the two last paragraphs of the Report of the Select Committee on the Deccan Mining Company, setting forth the evils attending the direct access of London speculators to the Ministers of Indian Native States; whether, in fact, direct negotiations have since been going on between the Nizam's Ministers and the Deccan Mining Company; whether Her Majesty's Government will interfere in the matter, and avoid the difficulty pointed out by the Committee by taking their full share of responsibility; and, whether, in case in this and other matters direct communications take place between Native Governments and British speculators, the latter will be warned that they are to expect no assistance whatever from the British Government in enforcing their claims?
§ THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE (Sir JOHN GORST) (Chatham)The Report referred to has been sent to the Government of India, and until their reply has been received the Secretary of State considers it premature either to express any opinion or take any action upon it. The Secretary of State is aware, as I have already stated in reply to a Question, that proposals relating to the Deccan Mining Company are now under the consideration of the Nizam's Government of Hyderabad, in consultation with the Resident. The hon. Member will deduce from my reply to the first Question that I cannot at present give any pledge as to the action the Secretary of State will take.