§ Sir J. D. REESMay I ask the Under-Secretary of State for India, or his representative, whether he can give the House any information with regard to the attempted assassination of Lord Hardinge?
§ Mr. ACLAND (for the Under-Secretary of State for India)The House will have learned during the recess of the attempt to assassinate the Governor-General of India 45 on the occasion of the State entrance into Delhi on the 23rd December. With regard to the facts of the outrage, I cannot add anything to the full reports which have appeared in the Press? I am glad to be able to state that Lord Hardinge's condition has steadily improved. The shock was severe and the wounds painful, but his hearing, at first injured, is returning, and he has been able to see some of the members of his household. A small piece of metal in the neck still has to be removed. The news of the outrage provoked intense indignation and sympathy with the victims throughout India, which has been reechoed from the Dominions and from foreign countries. The Secretary of State in Council immediately telegraphed a message of sympathy to Lord and Lady Hardinge, in which I am sure that the House will share. Rewards for the discovery of the criminal have been offered by Government and supplemented by the chiefs and the public in India. No definite discovery is yet reported.
§ Sir J. D. REESHas the Secretary of State received any information tending to show that this outrage resulted from the activity of any political party or seditious group in India?
§ Mr. ACLANDNo definite discovery has yet been reported.