§ MR. LABOUCHERE (Northampton)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that the only British ladies who are eligible for the Imperial Order of the Crown of India are the Royal Princesses and the wives and other female relations of former or actual Secretaries of State for India, Viceroys of India, and Governors of Madras and Bombay; and (2) whether he will consider the advisability of rendering all other British ladies who may, like Mrs. Grimwood, have performed distinguished services in India eligible?
SIR J. GORSTThe answer to the first question of the hon. Member is in the affirmative. In reply to the second, I have to say that my noble Friend the Secretary of State does not propose to suggest any alteration in the Statutes of the Indian Order of the Crown of India; but when the full official Reports of the attack on the Manipur Residency are received, he will gladly consider whether it is open to him to make any recommendation on Mrs. Grimwood's behalf.
MR. MACLEANMay I ask if the right hon. Gentleman is in a position to give an assurance that Her Majesty's Government will be advised to confer a special mark of favour on this lady who, at a time of great personal and public peril, upheld the dignity and honour of the British name?
SIR J. GORSTI am sorry to say that there are two difficulties in the matter. One is that no official Report has yet been received; and, secondly, as to the order or distinction which can be conferred upon this lady. There is an order for conspicuous bravery. I do not know whether that order is restricted to males or not, or whether the circumstances of the case are such as to bring Mrs. Grim-wood within the purview of the conditions of that order. All I can say is that the Secretary of State, as soon as the official Report is received, will consider whether there is any mark of distinction which can be conferred upon Mrs. Grimwood.