MR. HERBERT ROBERTS (Denbighshire, W.)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India if the brothers Natu, of Poona, who have been imprisoned at Ahmedabad under the special powers of 1818 and 1824 for several months, have now been released on parole; is he now able to state the reasons for the arrest and detention of these men and the terms upon which they have now been released; and is it the intention of the Indian Government to restore them to the control of their property and estates?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR INDIAI have already replied to the first part of this Question. With regard to the last paragraph, I have to say that restoration of control over the estates will be granted "whenever the Governor in Council shall be of opinion that the circumstances which rendered the attachment of such estate necessary have ceased to operate, and that the management of the estate can be committed to the hands of the proprietor without public hazard, or inconvenience," as laid down by section 9 of the Bombay Regulation XXV., 1827.
§ MR. MACNEILLMay I now ask the noble Lord as to the reason for the deportation of these men?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR INDIAI have already stated the various reasons.