§ MR. SAMUEL SMITH (Flintshire)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India whether he has any information to show that 600 was a low estimate of the number of persons killed in the recent riots in the City of Calcutta?
§ *LORD GEORGE HAMILTONSo far from 600 being a low estimate of the persons killed in the recent riots in the neighbourhood of Calcutta, the real number seems to be seven ascertained deaths. The following is the latest telegraphic communication that I have received on the subject, dated;July 8th—
Your telegram of yesterday. Government of Bengal reports number of killed during riots seven— "[Cries of "Oh !"] —"estimated number wounded about 20, of whom four or five have since died, the bodies being disposed of by their relatives. Calcutta reported quiet to-day, and Mahomedan leaders scrupulously exerting themselves to allay excitement. Mill hands quiet.
§ MR. SAMUEL SMITHasked the noble Lord whether The Times correspondent had not put the number at 600, and whether other estimates did not put it as high as 1,500?
§ *LORD GEORGE HAMILTONI do not know where the hon. Gentleman gets his information from, but I have given him the figures from the authentic report.