§ MR. WEIR (Ross and Cromarty)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that Sirdar Balvant Ramchandra Natu and his brother, both of Poona, were arrested in July, 1897, under Bombay Regulation 25 of 1827, and imprisoned for two years without trial; that their personal property was attached and not released until after representations had been made to the Secretary of State; and, in view of the position of these Natus, will he explain on what information they were arrested, and how the Government of Bombay propose to compensate them for the loss occasioned by their imprisonment; will he explain why no notice whatever has been taken of the application on 25th August, 1901, made by Balvant Ramchandra Natu to the Secretary to the Governor of Bombay; and will he say what action he proposes to take in the matter.
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR INDIA (Lord G. HAMILTON,) Middlesex, EalingI am aware of the facts mentioned in the hon. Member's first Question. As to the second Question, I have nothing to add to the answers given by me in this House on the 3rd March, 1898.† I have no information on the subject of the application of the 25th August, 1901, referred to in the third Question. As at present advised, I do not propose to take any action.
§ MR. WEIRWill the noble Lord inquire why the Secretary to the Bombay Presidency had not the courtesy to acknowledge the receipt of the communication sent last August? Is he aware that he himself stated in this House that the personal property of these men should be released? And—
§ * MR. SPEAKEROrder, order!