§ LORD HERSCHELLMy Lords, in view of the notice of Motion of the noble Viscount the Secretary of State for India, I desire to ask him whether he will lay upon the Table of this House any of the communications which have been received from the present or late Viceroy in relation to proposals for altering the constitution of the Councils in India?
§ THE SECRETARY of STATE FOR INDIA (Viscount CROSS)My Lords, in reference to the Bill which I hope to introduce to your Lordships to-night, which is practically upon a very unimportant matter, I do not know that there is any communication that can be laid before Parliament, which can assist your Lordships in any way. With regard to any other matters, in regard to the communications which have passed, they seem to me to be of a confidential character and that they ought not to be laid at the present time before Parliament.