§ MR. CONYBEAREI beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for India (1) whether Abdul Rasoul was arrested at Bombay in consequence of communications received from the Indian Office by the Commissioner of Police at Bombay; (2) what action on the part of Rasoul prior to his arrival in Bombay led the India Office to forward instructions for his arrest; (3) for how long a period had Rasoul been an object of suspicion to the India House authorities, and on what grounds was such suspicion based; (4) is it the fact that Rasoul was escorted from the gaol at Assirgad on board the Peninsular and Oriental steamer Assam by a sergeant of police and seven constables, and his passage paid for him; (5) what further information, or action on the part of Rasoul, has led the India House authorities to the conclusion that Rasoul is now neither a danger to the Empire nor an object of suspicion; (6) and did any, and what, communications pass between the India Office and the Viceroy, in consequence of which the latter telegraphed 1048 to the Chief Commissioner of Police at Bombay that he was to send back Rasoul to London?
*SIR J. GORSTThe answer to the first question is in the negative; the second and third, therefore, fall to the ground. The reply to the fourth question is, that the Secretary of State has no information about Abdul Rasoul's journey from Assirgad to the. Peninsular and Oriental steamer. His passage was paid for him by the Government. In answer to the fifth paragraph of the question, I have to say that the Secretary of State has received no fresh information about Abdul Rasoul; but this answer must not be taken as admitting the conclusion attributed to him in the question. In reply to the sixth paragraph of the question, my answer is that no such communication passed.
§ MR. CONYBEAREI understand that Abdul Rasoul has been interviewed by the authorities of India. If that is so, is the right hon. Gentleman still under the impression whether or not he was escorted from the North-West Provinces to Bombay by the police. Was it not a police escort that brought him down from Assirgad to Bombay; and, if so, I want to know, in spite of any statement to the contrary, whether the Government intend to maintain that Abdul Rasoul came to England at his own express wish, and not against his wish.
*SIR J. GORSTThat is exactly the point on which the Secretary of State has no official information. He does not know how Abdul Rasoul came except that he came by steamer. There is no doubt that Abdul Rasoul did ask to be sent to England.
§ MR. CONYBEAREAbdul Rasoul says that he did not demand an escort. I think it would save the time of the House if the right hon. Gentleman will make inquiry upon these points, because I shall have to repeat the question until I get a satisfactory answer. Will the right, hon. Gentleman do his best to obtain the information?
§ [No answer was returned.]