§ MR. BRADLAUGH (Northampton)I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether his attention has been called to the refusal of the Secretary of State for India to order any open inquiry into, or to give any opportunity to the Maharajah of Kashmir to be heard against, the allegations of crime, misconduct, and misgovernment, under cover of which the Maharajah has been deprived of his authority and revenues as a reigning feudatory Prince and whether the Government will consent to the appointment of a Select Committee of this House to inquire into this case?
§ *MR. W. H. SMITHThe Maharajah of Kashmir has been required to withdraw for a time from active participation in the Government of his State—not in consequence of allegations of crime and misconduct, but because the reforms urgently required in the interest of the people of Kashmir cannot be carried out without his so doing. No Select Committee could, with advantage to the Public Service, inquire into the case.
§ *MR. BRADLAUGHIn consequence of the answer of the right hon. Gentleman I beg to give notice that on the conclusion of questions I shall ask leave to move the adjournment of the House.