2. Sir N. Stewart Sandemanasked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he has any information as to why certain Government officials in the Central Provinces refused to accept the services of counsel retained by the Ministry on their behalf, and the reason of their appeal to the Governor to protect their interests?
§ Lieut.-Colonel MuirheadI presume the reference is to the Bilaspur Inquiry. I have ascertained that the counsel selected by the Deputy-Commissioner to represent the case of the Government servants before the committee were not approved by the Provincial Government on the ground that they were concerned in the matter under inquiry. The Government servants protested against the cancellation of the appointments made by the Deputy-Commissioner. Owing to other engagements of Ministers, and also to some difference of opinion among them, the final selection of counsel was not made until the 19th. The Governor is satisfied that the counsel now appointed are perfectly competent to protect the interests of the Government servants.
§ Lieut.-Colonel MuirheadPerhaps the hon. Member will put that question down.