16. Duchess of ATHOLLasked the Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that the population of the civil and military station of Bangalore includes some 108,000 Indian subjects of British India, some 4,000 Europeans, and about 5,500 Anglo-Indians; and whether there is any precedent for the handing over to an Indian State of a population of this size and character without its consent, residing in an area which has been under British administration for over 100 years?
§ Sir S. HOAREThe Indian population of the civil and military station was nearly 125,000 according to the last census. While the census does not distinguish between British Indian subjects and the subjects of Indian States, it has been claimed that the majority are subjects of the Mysore State. As regards the second part of the question, when in 1911 the State of Benares was created in the United Provinces, the specific consent of the inhabitants affected was not obtained. The Noble Lady is, of course, aware that the civil and military station is not British territory.
Duchess of ATHOLLIs it not the case that the State of Mysore does not claim more than 7,000 or 8,000 of these Indian inhabitants, and that there are besides, in the station, 4,000 British residents, as well as over 5,000 Anglo-Indians?
§ Sir S. HOAREMysore State claims many more than 7,000; it claims a very large majority of the 125,000. As to the Noble Lady's other figures, I think they are substantially correct.
Duchess of ATHOLLIs there any precedent for transferring a British and Anglo-Indian population of this kind to an Indian State against their unanimously expressed wishes?
§ Sir S. HOAREI have already told the Noble Lady several times that the point which differentiates this case from many others is that the territory in question is not British territory at all, but Mysore territory.