§ 26. Lord NINIAN CRICHTON-STUARTasked whether the news of the bomb out rage on the Viceroy of India was known to a news or other telegraphic agency in London before it was received by the India Office; and, if this is so, what length of time elapsed between the first and the official receipt of the news?
Mr. BAKERThe first intimation of the outrage reached the India Office at 10 a.m. on the 23rd December in the form of a cable from Reuter's representative in India addressed direct to the Secretary of State. The first official telegram reporting the occurrence in detail and communicating the medical report on the Viceroy's condition was received in London at 3.30 p.m. This telegram was sent on the authority of the Governor-General's Council. I would remind the Noble Lord that all the high officials of the Indian Government, including the Members of Council, were occupied for some time after the occurrence of the outrage in carrying through the Durbar and the programme of the day, in accordance with the order given by Lord Hardinge after he was wounded.