§ MR. WEIRI beg to ask the Secretary of State for India whether, at the time of the arrest of Sardar Shrimant Balvant Ramchandra Natu, on the 28th July, 1897, the whole of the family property was attached and taken possession of by the Collector of Poonah, and his wife and family left without means of support; and has any allowance to her been authorised since that date; if so, will he state whether the allowance has been regularly paid?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR INDIA (Lord G. HAMILTON,) Middlesex, EalingThe answer to the first paragraph of the Question is in the negative. As regards the second paragraph, I am informed that on October 23rd, after inquiry into the value of the estate, a joint allowance of Rs. 550 a month was fixed for the maintenance of the brothers and wives and families of the two Sardars. The allowance was made payable to the brother, Shiva Ramchandra Natu, but he declined to accept it until the 13th April.