§ MR. BRADLAUGHI beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for India whether the Government of India have made any payments, and for what purposes, to, and which of, the Anglo-Indian newspapers published in India; whether it was with the knowledge or approval of the Secretary of State that an offer was made to the Times of India, a newspaper published at Bombay, as stated in a leading article in that journal, "to become the official organ of the Government of India;" whether the proprietor of the Times of India is correct in saying that, in answer to such offer, he gave "so clear and distinct a negative as to admit of no misconception;" and whether the Secretary of State will lay upon the Table the correspondence relating to this matter?
SIR J. GORSTIn answer to the first paragraph of the hon. Member's question, I have to say that, except payments for advertisements, the Secretary of State is not aware of any payments being made by the Government to Anglo-Indian newspapers. The answer to the second paragraph is in the negative. In reply to paragraph No. 3, the Secretary of State is not aware of any such occurrence arising, or statement being made. In answer to the last paragraph, I have to say that there is no correspondence, and therefore none can be produced.
§ MR. BRADLAUGHAm I to understand from the right hon. Gentleman that the statement made in the Times of India is not correct?
SIR J. GORSTThe Secretary of State for India is not aware that the Times of India has ever made such a statement.
§ MR. BRADLAUGHI will supply the right hon. Gentleman with it.