COLONEL LONG (Worcestershire, Evesham)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India what steps the Government are taking with regard to the state of feeling among natives in India, as shown by late events, more particularly by the murder of Lieutenant Ayerst. The hon. Member also asked the Secretary of State for India whether the Government proposes to recognise in any special manner the services rendered by Mr. Rand and those associated with him in the Poona plague operations.
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR INDIA (Lord GEORGE HAMILTON,) Middlesex, EalingI stated yesterday in this House that the causes and circumstances of the recent outrage at Poona are being investigated, and I have 959 at present nothing to add to that statement. In reply to the hon. Member's second Question I can only say that all services rendered in connection with the plague and famine will be duly considered, and will receive such recognition as they deserve.
§ SIR WILLIAM WEDDERBURN (Banffshire)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that in the plague administration European soldiers were employed in house visitations at Poona, whereas Native Sepoys were employed in Bombay; and whether he has any information to show that, in consequence, the feelings and prejudices of the people were more considered in Bombay than in Poona?
§ LORD GEORGE HAMILTONI am aware that the services of British soldiers were utilized on plague duty at Poona. I cannot say for certain that they were not similarly employed at Bombay, but Native soldiers were also employed. The European cantonment is large at Poona, while the number of European troops at Bombay is small. I have no information tending to show that the feelings and prejudices of the people were more considered in Bombay than in Poona. As I have already stated, I believe than in both places the Government have been most anxious to do nothing beyond that which was absolutely necessary for the purpose of dealing thoroughly with the plague in its early stages. Lord Sandhurst informed me some time back that he had met the leading inhabitants of Poona to discuss plague regulations, and that the result of the interview was satisfactory.
§ SIR WILLIAM WEDDERBURNI beg to ask the Secretary of State for India whether it is his intention to propose Press legislation for India as the result of a private inquiry conducted by the Government regarding recent events at Poona?
§ LORD GEORGE HAMILTONI have nothing to add to the answer I gave yesterday to the hon. Member for Staffordshire, and if the hon. Baronet will study the phraseology of that reply he will see that it will not bear the interpretation he has now endeavoured to place upon it.
§ SIR W. HARCOURT (Monmouth, W.)Do I understand from the noble Lord that no alteration will be made in 960 the Press law of India until the House of Commons has had an opportunity of pronouncing an opinion upon that subject?
§ LORD GEORGE HAMILTONI do not know where the right hon.Gentleman got that idea from; but I must respectfully point out to him that the Indian Government is responsible for the maintenance of law and order in India—[Ministerial cheers]—and that upon the Indian Government rests constitutionally the responsibility of initiating such measures as they may consider essential to the discharge of this their duty. [Ministerial cheers.] Any action which they may so take is, of course, subject to review in this House. There is no ground, in my judgment, at the present moment for reversing these well-established principles. [Ministerial cheers.]