§ SIR W. WEDDERBURN (Banffshire)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for India whether the Secretary of State for India has observed in the Indian Press that, out of Rs.80,000 required for a statue to Lansdowne at Calcutta, over lis.60,000 have been obtained from 35 Indian Princes an Chiefs, including minors; and whether he has information to show that, in accordance with the Standing Orders on the subject, all political officers have refrained from bringing any pressure to boar upon these Princes and Chiefs in order to obtain these subscriptions?
§ SIR J. FERGUSSON (Manchester, N.E.)May I ask the Under Secretary for India whether it is within his knowledge that the Princes and Chiefs of India are generally anxious to testify their respect towards the Representatives of the Empress, in addition to their regard for them individually; and whether they are not likely to be wounded by a suggestion that their loyal attitude in regard to the matter referred to, as in their large contributions to Imperial defence in the times of Lord Dufferin and Lord Lansdowne, has been due to official pressure?
*THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOB INDIA (Mr. GEORGE RUSSELL,) North Beds.I do not feel called upon to enter into the speculative part of the right hon. Baronet's question; but I do not doubt that what he suggests is the feeling among the Princes of India, in regard to all signs of respect for Her Majesty's Representative, is quite correct. I have to say, in answer to the question on the Paper, that the Secretary of State is aware from the Indian Press that a committee has been appointed to collect subscriptions for a 1021 statue to Lord Lansdowne, but be has no other information on the subject.
§ SIR W. WEDDERBURNHas to bear upon the Maharajah of Cashmere and the Maharajah of Gwalior, who is a minor?
MR, GEORGE RUSSELLI cannot undertake to answer that, but I have no doubt the Secretary of State will inquire into any specific cases which the hon. Baronet may bring to his attention.