MR. J. B. SMITHsaid, he would beg to ask the Secretary of State for India, When he intends to present the Indian Budget to the House; and whether, considering the importance of bringing the affairs of India under the review of Parliament, he cannot arrange the Indian Financial Year in such a manner as to be able to present the Budget in the early part, of the Session instead as heretofore in the last week of the Session to an empty and exhausted House?
§ SIR CHARLES WOODreplied that it was his intention to present the Indian Budget as early as he could after the receipt of the necessary information from India. Of course it was the object of the House to have the most complete information on the subject. The Budget statement in India was made in the month of April, and the Parliamentary Papers were laid on the table by the 14th of May; so that, time being allowed for Members to read them, the end of May, or the early part of June, was the earliest period when the Indian Budget could be brought forward in that House. The financial year in India very nearly corresponded with the English financial year; and he could not see that it would be worth while to alter the whole arrangements in India in order to make in that House the financial statement in reference to India at an earlier period than usual. Such a course would, besides, very much interfere with the business of that House at a time when its attention was required for the affairs of this country.
MR. J. B. SMITHsaid, he wished to know whether the right hon. Gentleman would bring forward the statement in May or in August?
§ SIR CHARLES WOODsaid, he must repeat that the financial accounts, which formed the basis of the statement, were by Act of Parliament laid on the table by the 14th of May. They had then to be printed, and he apprehended that hon. Members would not wish him to make a statement on papers which they had not had time to read.
§ MR. H. BAILLIEsaid, he wished to know whether the right hon. Gentleman intended to bring forward the Indian Budget in the beginning of June?
§ SIR CHARLES WOODsaid, the accounts only reach here in April. They were very voluminous, and took a certain time to print and prepare. It was also necessary that after they were printed the House should have a certain time to consider them. So far as he was concerned he should be glad to make the statement at as early a period after the 14th of May as possible. The state of the public business might, however, prevent him from proceeding with the matter as early as he desired.
§ MR. HENRY SEYMOURsaid, he did not understand the right hon. Gentleman's answer. He begged to ask him whether he would undertake to bring forward his 180 Budget within fourteen days after the papers had been presented?
§ SIR CHARLES WOODsaid, he could only repeat that personally he should be ready to do so, but that it would depend on the business of the House whether it would be in his power.