MR. HERBERT ROBERTS (Denbighshire, W.)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India, whether he is now able to lay upon the Table any Papers or Correspondence relating to the disputes between the Government of India and the Maharaja of Jhalwar; whether he is able to state if the telegram from Calcutta, published in yesterday's Daily Chronicle, announcing the deposition of the Prince, is correct; whether, in accordance with the pledge of the Government given on the 25th ultimo, the Maharaja will have every opportunity of submitting his reply to the charges made against him; and, whether these charges will be made the subject of a public inquiry, in which the Maharaja will have the advantage of legal advice?
§ MR. E. H. PICKERSGILL (Bethnal Green, S. W.)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India whether it is true, as reported, that the Maharaja of Jhalwar has been deposed?
§ LORD GEORGE HAMILTONI must invite the attention of the hon. Member to my reply on the 24th of February. Until I have received by mail the final orders and papers from the Indian Government relating to the case, I cannot say what papers I can produce. I am informed by telegram 215 that the Inquiry has resulted in the deposition of the Maharaja Rana, and that this decision has been made known in Jhalwar. The charges brought against His Highness have been fully explained to him, and his written answers received. There has been no restriction upon his seeking advice, and the Inquiry has been conducted according to the usual practice, which I am not disposed to modify.