§ 13. Mr. KINGasked whether Mr. H. V. Lanchester went out to Delhi to report on the lay-out and town-planning of the new city at the request of the Viceroy or of the Secretary of State; whether Mr. Lanchester's report will be made known by a copy being placed in the Library; and whether his plan for the lay-out of the new city will be exhibited before, simultaneously with, or after the exhibition of Mr. Lutyens' plans?
§ Mr. MONTAGUMr. Lanchester went to Delhi at the request of the Viceroy conveyed to him by the Secretary of State. There is no report such as my hon. Friend refers to, and Mr. Lanchester's memoranda are not in a form or of a nature for presentation to Parliament, nor do I think them relevant to the consideration of the plans prepared by the town-planning committee.
§ Mr. KINGIs it not the case that Mr. Lanchester gave a full plan of the lay-out which he proposed for the new city?
§ Mr. MONTAGUHe made several communications to the Viceroy and Government of India, but not in such a form that they could very well be submitted to Parliament. The town-planning committee's report and plan are now being prepared for presentation to Parliament immediately. When my hon. Friend sees them he will be in a better position to say what further information he requires.
§ Mr. MONTAGUI am afraid I do not know that, but all the time the town-planning committee were conducting their investigations in India the views of Mr. Lanchester were well known to them, and were discussed by them.
§ 14. Mr. ALDENasked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether the Government of India has now definitely decided on the southern site for the new capital of Delhi; whether he can state the extra cost likely to be incurred by the choice of the northern site; and whether he has official information showing which site would be the more advantageous from from the sanitary and health point of view?
§ Mr. MONTAGUThe reply to the first question is in the affirmative. The Secretary of State cannot answer the second part of the question, but the additional cost for Government headquarters on the same scale would be undoubtedly heavy; as regards the third part of the question, the southern site is overwhelmingly more advantageous from the health point of view.
§ Mr. WEDGWOODMay I ask whether the land has been appropriated for both sides or only one side?
§ Mr. MONTAGUA large portion of the area already belongs to the Government. Perhaps the hon. Member will put down a question.