§ MR. KIMBER (Wandsworth)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India whether many important petitions have been presented to the Punjaub authorities from loyal sirdars of the Cis-Sutlej territory of the Punjaub, praying for relief from uncertainty and for recognition by Government of the rule of primogeniture in the succession to their respective estates; whether there has been any delay or want of uniformity on the part of local officials in reporting on and 329 dealing with such petitions; and, whether he has any objection to grant a Return of the dates, names of subscribers, and prayers of such petitions, and of the official correspondence and rulings of the Government of India and Punjaub authorities on the subject.
§ LORD GEORGE HAMILTONIn reply to the question of my honourable friend, I have to say that there is no information at my disposal which would supply an answer to the first two paragraphs. As regards the Return asked for in the last paragraph, it could not be furnished without a reference to the Government of India, as the correspondence is not on record in this country. My honourable friend's question will be forwarded to the Government of India for any observations they may have to make.