§ DR. CAMERON (Glasgow, College)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for India, (1) whether his attention has been called to a statement in the Calcutta telegram of the Times, of the 10th instant, indicating, although nine of the Mamlutdars, who swore that they had corruptly purchased their offices by bribes, had been deprived of magisterial powers in criminal cases, "they were still maintained in office on full pay, and allowed to exercise jurisdiction in civil suits;" (2) whether it is true, as stated in the Calcutta telegram published in the Times of the 24th instant, that, although 33 native Magistrates have been transferred, on public grounds, no dismissal from office has yet been gazetted; (3) whether it is true, as stated in the same telegram, that the High Court of Judicature of Bombay has pronounced a judgment, affirming that the corrupt Mamlutdars and Magistrates are by Law disqualified from holding their offices; (4) whether the confessedly corrupt Mamlutdars referred to, continue to exercise any jurisdiction in civil suits or Revenue questions; and, (5) what is their exact position in the Bombay Civil Service?
* SIR J. GORST(1) The Secretary of State has seen the statement referred to. (2) The Secretary of State has been informed that three officers have been dismissed from Government employment. (3) The Secretary of State has no knowledge respecting the judgment of the High Court of Bombay. (4) The Secretary of State has been informed by the Government of Bombay that the officers referred to in the question 877 "have been deprived of all judicial functions," and he understands this to mean that they exercise no jurisdiction in civil suits or Revenue questions. (5) The Secretary of State does not understand that any further change has been made in the status of these officers.
§ DR. CAMERONWill the lion. Gentleman ask for some further information on the subject?
* SIR J. GORSTIf the hon. Member will indicate to me what further information he desires I will ask for it.