§ MR. CRAWFORD (Lanark, N.E.)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for India if he will lay upon the Table Papers showing the precise political relation between Manipur and the Government of India, as fixed either by treaty or general regulations affecting the protected Native States, or otherwise?
§ THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR INDIA (Sir J. GORST,) ChathamIn reply to the question of the hon. Member I have to say that if he will move for the Papers they shall be laid upon the Table.
§ MR. CRAWFORDI beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for India whether the Government will undertake that no one shall be put to death in Manipur as a punishment, or in retaliation for the deaths of Mr. Quinton and 962 his companions, until the circumstances of the attack upon the Manipuris has been considered by Parliament?
§ SIR J. GORSTNo one will be put to death in Manipur in mere retaliation for the deaths of Mr. Quinton and his companions. The Secretary of State is surprised that such a question should be asked. But those who are found guilty of the murder of Mr. Quinton and Mr. Melville and their respective companions will be adequately punished without waiting until the circumstances of the affair at Manipur have been considered by Parliament.
§ SIR W. HARCOURT (Derby)I wish to ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, in the absence of the First Lord of the Treasury, when further Papers will be presented in relation to the affairs of Manipur. The House will be aware that at present we have had no expression whatever of the views of Her Majesty's Government or of the Secretary of State for India officially as to what has taken place; I, therefore, ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when further Papers, in addition to those which have already been presented, will be laid on the Table.
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER (Mr. GOSCHEN,) St. George's, Hanover SquareI am not in a position at present to say when the Government will be able to place further Papers upon the Table in regard to recent events in Manipur; but, no doubt, the House is entitled to the fullest information it is possible to give on the subject. That information will be given as soon as it is received. Perhaps the right hon Gentleman may think it convenient to move for the Papers with regard to these events. Of course, if a Member in the position of the right hon. Gentleman expresses a wish to have this matter discussed, it will be the duty of the Government to find an opportunity for its discussion.
§ SIR W. HARCOURTI think that the course suggested by the right hon. Gentleman will be a convenient one, and in order that the House may be in possession of the state of things and the views of the Government, I will move for further Papers on the subject, and will call attention generally to what has taken place at Manipur. That will 963 afford an opportunity for discussion of the matter, and when the further Papers are received, it will be for Members to consider whether any, and if so, what further steps shall be taken. I should hope that the right hon. Gentleman will to-day, or upon some early day, mention some date on which the discussion may be taken.