HC Deb 12 May 1891 vol 353 cc556-7
MR. GOURLEY (Sunderland)

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for India whether his attention has been called to a statement in the Press, copied from the Allahabad Pioneer of the 17th April— That, in view of the probable flight to Burma of the Manipuri nobles responsible for the recent outrages, the Chief Commissioner has issued a Proclamation offering heavy sums for the heads of 'the Regent,' 'the Senaputty,' and those of the Councillors and Generals who were concerned in the outbreak"; whether this Proclamation was issued with the knowledge of the Indian Government and Secretary of State for India; if not, what measures have been adopted for its withdrawal; and will he state the nature of the Court under which the leaders of the rebellion captured are to be tried?

THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES (Baron H. de WORMS,) Liverpool, East Toxteth

On behalf of my right hon. Friend, I have to say that the Secretary of State has received no official information on the subject, but he has seen in the newspapers a copy of the Proclamation of the Chief Commissioner of Burma, the material part of which is as follows:— This is to give notice that any such persons —that is, the Regent of Manipur and those of his Councillors, Generals, and followers concerned in the murder of Mr. Quinton and his companions— taking refuge in Burma are to be seized and delivered up to the nearest Magistrate and police officer, and that rewards will be granted as stated below for the capture of the persons named. The rewards vary from 1,000 Rs. to 5,000 Rs. The reply to the second paragraph of the question is that the Secretary of State sees nothing in such a Proclamation to require his interference. In answer to the third paragraph, I have to say that the nature of the Court will be found described in the Blue Book which will be certainly distributed before the House rises for the holidays. The leaders of the rebellion are to be tried by a Court consisting of three officers, including at least one political officer, their sentences to be subject to the confirmation of the Government of India.