§ THE MARQUESS OF RIPONMy Lords, seeing the noble Viscount the Secretary of State for India in his place, I am anxious to put a question to him in regard to the recent occurrences at Manipur. I find a statement in the St. James's Gazette this evening, which is headed "Blood Money offered," and which in some of the placards which have appeared in the streets is referred to as "a disgraceful proclamation," the statement being that
The Chief Commissioner"—meaning, of course, the Chief Commissioner of Assam—Has issued a proclamation putting heavy sums on the heads of the Regent, the Senaputty, and those of the Councillors and Generals who were concerned in the outbreak.It is, I think, very desirable that that sort of statement should not go forth to the public uncontradicted if it is not correct, and I should be glad if the noble Viscount will state whether he has any information upon the subject?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR INDIA (Viscount CROSS)I have no information on the subject, and have not even seen the paragraph mentioned by the noble Marquess. I am not aware whether a proclamation has been issued offering certain sums for taking these people alive, but I am quite sure the Viceroy would never have countenanced for a single moment such a proclamation as has been hinted at in the statement quoted by the noble Marquess. As this question has been asked on the matter I should like to state that full Papers on the subject of the Manipur occurrences will be laid on the Table as soon as they are printed. They would have been produced already, and I hope they will be ready to-morrow, but a long Despatch has just come in by this mail which ought, I think, to be added to them, which has caused a delay of 24 hours. That is the only reason why they have not been already produced to the House.