MR. J. B. SMITHasked the Secretary of State for India, Whether any and what 87 arrangements have been made to present to Parliament the Indian Accounts at the commencement of the Session; and, whether he intends to adhere to the practice hitherto adopted of bringing forward the Indian Budget in the last week of the Session of Parliament?
VISCOUNT CRANBOURNEOrders were issued by Lord de Grey for the preparation of the Indian financial accounts in conformity with the English financial accounts up to the 31st of March. Till very recently I imagined that the accounts would be presented this year under that order; but I have received a telegram within the last few days stating that it could not be done until next year. The bringing forward the Indian Budget, as the hon. Gentleman well knows, does not depend on the time at which the accounts are laid upon the table, but on the business of the House with respect to other matters. In future Indian accounts are to be made, like the English accounts, up to the 31st of March.