HC Deb 14 December 1908 vol 198 cc1243-4
* MR. REES (Montgomery Boroughs)

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for India whether his attention has been drawn to a matrimonial dispute between a native of India, who is a member of the Indian Civil Service, and his English wife; and whether any and, if so, what steps can be taken to warn English women of the risk they run in marrying natives of India, and who are not by such marriage in Britain debarred from marrying other wives in India.

THE UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE FOR INDIA (Mr. BUCHANAN,) Perthshire, W.

The case to which I understand the hon. Member to refer has been reported in the newspapers, and the Secretary of State does not think any exceptional action of the kind suggested is called for.

* MR. REES

Does the right hon. Gentleman not think that something should be done for the protection of English women in this behalf?

MR. BUCHANAN

Sufficient publicity has already been given to the danger they incur.

* MR. MACKARNESS (Berkshire, Newbury)

Is not this the first case of the kind that has occurred in our Courts, and is there any ground for the general reflection upon Indians contained in the Question?

MR. BUCHANAN

I do not know.

* MR. REES

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that several cases have; occurred, though they do not come into Court?

[No Answer was returned.]