§ MR. J. A. M. MACDONALDOn behalf of the hon. Member for South-West Ham (Mr. KEIR HARDIE), I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India whether his attention has been drawn to a forthcoming exhibition in London, called the Empire of India Exhibition; whether he is aware that several Native Indian Princes have received applications to send over Indian workpeople and various Indian treasures to the exhibition, and that these applications bear the imprint of names of various Indian officials (retired or otherwise); and, whether he will take immediate steps to inform the Indian Princes concerned that there is no Governmental connection with this Exhibition?
§ MR. HENRY FOWLERI am aware that an Indian Exhibition is being prepared, but I have no information regarding applications to Indian Princes, such as are described in the hon. Member's question. It was announced in the Bombay Gazette of the 7th February, 1895, that "the Exhibition was a purely private adventure, the Government of India having decided to take no part in it." I do not propose to take any steps in the matter. I believe that Indian Princes are not likely to be misled as to the facts of the case.