HC Deb 30 July 1897 vol 51 cc1603-4
MR. MACNEILL

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India whether the charge of sedition on which proceedings, including arrest and refusal of bail, have been instituted by the Indian Government against Ganhadur Tilak is founded on an article published so far back as the I5th June; and why the prosecution has been deferred to a period when, owing to the prorogation of Parliament, the conduct of these proceedings will be exempted from immediate Parliamentary criticism?

LORD GEORGE HAMILTON

I have no information from the Government of India or from that of Bombay as to the date or dates of the article or articles on which this prosecution has been instituted. On questions of this kind the Governments in India must have a free hand, and I do not propose to interfere with them in the exercise of their discretion.

MR. MACNEILL

said what he wished to know from the noble Lord was whether the Government of India were responsible to the House of Commons or not?

MR. SPEAKER

Order, order! That is not a Question to be answered.

MR. MACNEILL

Yes, Sir, I know the answer. [Laughter.]