HC Deb 21 March 1907 vol 171 cc843-4
*MR. REES

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India whether all or any of the Bengali cultivators who beat to death Mr. Bloomfield, an indigo planter of Champaran, have been brought to justice.

MR. HOBHOUSE

No information has reached me as to the result of the inquiry into the circumstances of the murder of Mr. Bloomfield, but I have no doubt that every effort will be made to bring the murderers to justice.

*MR. REES

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that outrages such as these, formerly so rare, are now becoming more frequent, and does he not think that special measures are necessary for the protection of our fellow subjects?

MR. HOBHOUSE

I do not think the Secretary of State has any information leading him to believe that such cases are at all common.

MAJOR ANSTRUTHER-GRAY (St. Andrews Burghs)

Will the inquiry be made by cable? I put this Question a fortnight ago, and we have as yet got no satisfactory Answer.

MR. HOBHOUSE

Yes, I think I can undertake to send a cable message.