§ MR. FRANCIS STEVENSON (Suffolk, Eye)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, having regard to the fact that the ex-Sultan Abdullah, of Perak, has now been exiled for more than 14 years in the Seychelles Islands, and bearing in mind the peculiar circumstances connected with his trial, the Government are prepared to re-consider the answers given on the 5th of May and 1st of August, 1890, and to consent to re-open the case; whether, if they decline to adopt that course, they are prepared to allow him 1058 either to be set at liberty, or to visit England; and whether they are aware that Sir Benson Maxwell, formerly Chief Justice of the Straits Settlements, is of opinion that the ex-Sultan is innocent of the charge which resulted in his sentence?
§ THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES (Baron H. de WORMS,) Liverpool, East ToxtethHer Majesty's Government are not prepared to re-consider the decision formerly conveyed to the hon. Member against re-opening the case of Abdullah, or allowing him to visit England; but the Secretary of State is again in communication with the Governor of the Straits Settlements as to whether any steps can be taken to ameliorate the ex-Sultan's present position. It is known that Sir Benson Maxwell held the opinion attributed to him in the hon. Member's question.