§ MR. WEIR (Ross and Cromarty)To ask the Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that the Phulkean Bhaikean family are alleged to have been wrongfully deprived of the chiefship and principality of Kythal of the Cis Sutlej territory of the Punjab in the years 1843 and 1847; and will he explain on what ground the Government of India decline to restore to Sirdar Bhai Shamshere Singh, the present representative of the Kythal chiefs, the territory claimed by him.
(Answered by Secretary Lord George Hamilton.) I am aware of the allegation stated in the Question put by the hon. Member. In the Return, East India (Kythal), ordered by the House to be printed on the 24th of April, 1896, the facts are fully set forth, and I have nothing to add to my predecessor's decision, printed as No. l3 in that Blue-book.