§ MR. O'GRADY (Leeds, E.)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India whether the Government of India in any way had an agreement with the Zakka Khel, giving subsidies to sustain a certain fighting force in the form of militia on the frontier, or for any other purpose; and, if so, what was the annual amount of such subsidies, through whom paid, and whether the last payment was made in full.
§ MR. MORLEYsubsidy of £1,360 per annum was granted in 1898 to the Zakka Khel, but not in consideration of any military service. The subsidy is paid direct to the tribe. In June, 1907, in view of the large amount of unpaid fines for past outrages outstanding against the tribe, it was decided to withhold the subsidy.
§ MR. O'GRADYAm I to understand that the subsidy was not paid in full, and that, the tribe taking the matter into their own hands, made forays, and that that was the real cause of this frontier war?
§ MR. MORLEYMy hon. friend, if I may say so with perfect courtesy, is wholly mistaken. There is no connection whatever between the subsidy and the frontier war.