§ MR. SCHWANNI beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for India, with reference to the sentences of death lately passed on the two Manipur Princes, whether he is aware that an appeal lies to the Viceroy of India, and that the Viceroy exercises appellate functions similar to those of the High Court, and is therefore bound to hear counsel on the case; whether he is aware that the Manipur Princes have appointed counsel to appear for them, and that the Viceroy declines to hear counsel on their behalf, though the trial is professedly judicial; and whether the Secretary of State for India will make representations to the Viceroy on the subject?
*SIR J. GORSTThe Secretary of State is informed that the Viceroy does not exercise in this matter appellate functions similar to those of the High Court. The Government of India, as the paramount Power, have appointed a tribunal for the trial of the accused in Manipur, and have reserved to themselves the power to deal with the sentence passed by such tribunal according as they may consider advisable after perusal of the papers in the case. Under these circumstances it would be unusual for the Viceroy to hear counsel.