§ SIR H. COTTON (Nottingham, E.)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India whether he is in a position to give any explanation of the circumstances under which Udoya Patni, of Sylhet, in Eastern Bengal and Assam, was hanged under the orders of the Lieutenant-Governor, although his prayer for mercy had been transmitted by the Lieutenant-General to the Governor-General in Council, and the orders of the Governor-General, granting a reprieve, arrived after the execution had taken place; and whether he can state what action he his taken, or proposes to take, in the matter.
§ MR. JOHN ELLISThe Secretary of State is not in a position to answer any Question on this subject to-day.
§ SIR H. COTTONCan the hon. Gentleman give any indication when I may put the Question down again?
§ MR. JOHN ELLISI am afraid I cannot. I am sure hon. Members who have Questions on this very grave subject will recognise it is absolutely essential that the India Office should be in possession of every fact available. I can assure the House, however, that no time is being lost, and that the Secretary of State will shortly be able to make his promised statement.