§ DR. CAMERON (Glasgow, College)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for India whether he can yet inform the House if it is true, as stated in the Calcutta correspondence of the Times, of the 24th ultimo, and repeated in the Calcutta telegram in the Times of the 1st instant, that the High Court of Bombay has pronounced a judgment affirming that the corrupt mamlutdars and magistrates are by the operation of 49 Geo. 3, c. 126, "disabled persons in 843 law to all intents and purposes to have or enjoy the offices or any part of them," for which they swore that they paid bribes; and whether it is true, as stated in the Calcutta correspondence of the Times of the 15th instant, that Mr. Justice Jardine "has officially reported to the Chief Justice the illegal re-appointment, as mamlutdars, of seven men, guilty, on their own confession, of bribery and corruption."
SIR J. GORSTThe judgment referred to has now arrived in this country; and I am bound to say, from a perusal of it, that I cannot think the discription given of it by the Times' Correspondent is accurate. No judgment is pronounced to the effect mentioned in the question; but there is an expression of opinion on the part of Mr. Justice Jardine that the statute mentioned does apply to such officers as those referred to. With reference to the second inquiry, the report of Mr. Justice Jardine has not been received in this country, and the Secretary of State cannot express an opinion until he has seen it.
§ DR. CAMERONAs this matter has really become a public scandal and disgrace in India, I beg to give notice that at the end of the questions I will move the adjournment of the House in order to call attention to the subject.