§ 5. Sir J. D. REESasked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether searches recently made at or near Rawal Pindi have resulted in the discovery of any and, if so, of how many bombs; whether arrests have been made in connection with an anarchical conspiracy alleged to exist in the Punjab; and whether he has official information to the effect that Sir J. S. Meston, described as Lieutenant-Governor of Bengal, and Mr. Gordon, described as a member of the Civil Service stationed in Bengal, narrowly escaped being the victims of bomb out rages?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for INDIA (Mr. Charles Roberts)A magisterial inquiry of the character described by the hon. Member is in progress at Delhi, and certain persons have been arrested. The Secretary of State does not consider that it would be in the public interest to make any detailed statement at the present stage of the matter.
§ Sir J. D. REESMay I ask if Sir J. S. Meston is Lieutenant-Governor of Bengal?
§ Mr. C. ROBERTSNo, Sir.
§ 7. Sir J. D. REESasked whether two Bengali merchants were murdered and robbed at Backergunge; whether in the same district fifteen Mahomedans raided a house and carried off its contents; whether in Faridpur and Talpaiguri similar outrages have occurred; and, if so, will he say what steps are taken by the Government of India to deal with these and similar outbreaks of lawlessness in previously peaceful districts?
§ Mr. C. ROBERTSThe facts appear to be as stated by the hon. Member. The conditions of administration in Bengal are being investigated by a Committee appointed by the local Government in October last, and I have not yet received the results of the inquiry.