§ MR. A. SMITH (Christchurch)In the absence of the hon. Member for the Widnes Division of South-West Lancashire I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for India whether Surgeon-Major Dearne Comins, Protector of Emigrants at Calcutta, was instructed by the Government of India in the early part of the year 1891 to proceed on an official visit to the British and Foreign Colonies in the West Indies, and to report upon the condition of the coolie immigrants in those Colonies; whether, as the result of repeated applications to Her Majesty's Government, the Government of India telegraphed to the India Office on the 5th April, 1893, that Dr. Comins' Reports were nearly ready, and that no time would be lost in sending them on receipt; and whether the Reports have yet been received and transmitted by the Government of India to the Secretary of State; and, if not, what is the reason of the delay which has occurred in connection with them?
*MR. G. RUSSELLSurgeon-Major Deane Comins, Protector of Emigrants at Calcutta, was instructed by the Government of India in the early part of the year 1891 to proceed on an official visit to the British and Foreign Colonies in the West Indies, and to report upon the condition of the coolie immigrants in those Colonies. On April 15 last the Government of India telegraphed that the Reports on the West Indies were promised at the end of the following month, and that no time would be lost in sending them on receipt. The Reports 24 have not yet been received by the Secretary of State. The delay has been caused by Dr. Comins' duties as Inspector General of Gaols leaving him little leisure for the preparation of his Reports.
§ MR. A. SMITHWill the hon. Gentleman press for the early production of this Report?
*MR. G. RUSSELLYes, Sir; intimation has been sent already to the effect that it is desirable to have it as soon as possible. I have no doubt it will be ready shortly.