HC Deb 27 June 1890 vol 346 cc191-2
MR. BRYCE (Aberdeen, S.)

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for India whether, with reference to the statements made in India and here respecting Lord Reay's offer to resign the office of Governor of Bombay, it is the fact that, although Lord Reay did not tender his resignation to the Secretary of State for India, he did make a communication to the Viceroy on the subject?

*SIR J. GORST

The statement which I was instructed by the Secretary of State to make in this House on the 8th of May, that Lord Reay never tendered his resignation of the government of Bombay, was correct; but the Secretary of State has been unofficially informed that Lord Reay, by a secret and confidential telegram, the text of which was not communicated to the Secretary of State, intimated to the Viceroy that he would resign in the event of the mamlutdars being dismissed; and my noble Friend has been further unofficially informed that the Viceroy succeeded in dissuading Lord Reay from tendering his resignation.

MR. BRADLAUGH (Northampton)

After that grave statement will the right hon. Gentleman still refuse to afford facilities for the discussion of the question?

MR. J. GORST

I must ask for notice of that question.

MR. BRADLAUGH

May I ask the leader of the House whether, after the very grave statement that Lord Reay felt it his duty to make a communication to the Viceroy almost equivalent to a tender of his resignation, the Government will not afford the means of having the question raised in this House?

*THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY (Mr. W. H. SMITH,) Strand, Westminster

I will consider the matter; but I am sorry to say that the opportunities I have of affording facilities for discussion are very slight indeed.