§ House in Committee (according to Order.)
§ THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURYMy Lords, I trust I may be allowed to make an explanation in reference to a statement I made to the House a short time since. At an earlier period of the Session I quoted a despatch from the Viceroy of India which spoke of the neglect of some of the local officers in making the requisite preparations for the transport of grain in the districts afflicted by famine. As I did so, I think it only right to quote the words of a despatch which I received by the last mail, and in which the Viceroy modifies in some respect the terms of the despatch from which I had quoted, and expresses a high opinion of the efforts made by the local officers in the various stages of the famine. I should observe also that the former remarks appear to have applied only to a portion of one district—Tirhoot—and his observations were not to be applied to any other district so afflicted. But what I particularly desire to do is to quote the high opinion of the Viceroy as to the exertions of those officers. The opinion of the Viceroy is that after the 467 date formerly mentioned, the officers had exerted themselves greatly to mitigate the horrors of the famine. The Viceroy there says—
In respect to Sir George Campbell's personal services, we have already acknowledged the zeal and ability with which from the first he devoted himself to the arduous task of conducting the operations for the relief of distress, and we have particularly recorded our high appreciation of the manner in which he personally directed and supervised, the relief operations on the occasion of his visit to North Behar. As regards the officers who acted under Sir George Campbell's orders, in spite of a temporary failure in one portion of the Tirhoot district, we cannot speak too highly of the zeal, energy, and devotion which they have from the first displayed. These officers deserve our warmest thanks; they deserve and they will obtain our cordial support in the performance of their arduous duties.I think it is but right that I should quote this despatch to your Lordships.
§ VISCOUNT HALIFAXexpressed the pleasure which it gave him to hear the noble Marquess make that statement to the House, as the former statement had caused a great deal of soreness amongst some of the officers in India. It would tend very much to soothe the feelings of those officers who before thought themselves unjustly censured.
§ Bill reported without Amendment; and to be read 3a on Thursday next.