MR. HERBERT ROBERTS (Denbighshire, W.)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India (1) whether a class known as the Elavas are excluded from all appointments in the State of Travancore on the ground that they belong to a low caste, although they form over 16 per cent. of the population of the State, and contribute largely to its revenues; (2) whether they are denied admission to most of the Government schools in the State, and whether two graduates of the Madras University (of this class) have recently been compelled to take service under the Madras and Mysore Governments because they were denied positions in their own State; and (3) whether any, and, if so, what, steps have been taken by the Madras Government, through the Political Agent, to remedy this state of things in Travancore?
§ LORD GEORGE HAMILTONI have no precise information as to the first Question. As to the second, I find from the latest report I have received that 9,517 Elava boys and 1,368 Elava girls were under instruction in Travancore, representing eight per cent. of the total number of pupils. I have no information as to the two graduates referred to, and I must observe that in the internal administration of education and patronage in the Native states of India the British Government does not actively interfere. I have no objection, however, to calling the attention of the Madras Government to the Question asked by the hon. Member.