§ 58. Sir CHARLES OMANasked the Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that the district magistrate for the Nilgiri district of the Madras presi- 1309 dency is still requiring retired Army officers resident in his district to give up their firearms before the end of December; and will he state on what grounds this is still being done?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for INDIA (Mr. Butler)As was promised in the reply given to my hon. Friend on the 23rd November, the Government of India have been asked for information. When a reply is received I shall communicate with my hon. Friend.
§ Sir C. OMANMay I ask whether three weeks was necessary to enable the Government of India to discover the fact that European officers of the Army resident in remote districts should be deprived of every weapon at their command?
§ Mr. BUTLERThe material supplied by my hon. Friend has been forwarded to the Government of India, and there has not been time for a reply on this important subject. When I receive it it will be communicated to my hon. Friend.
§ Sir C. OMANWill the hon. Gentleman be surprised to know that I have received several similar letters?