§ MR. BAXTERasked the Under Secretary of State for India, If he can explain why the Return relating to Ecclesiastical Salaries in India, ordered by this House so long ago as the 5th of July 1877, has not yet been presented, and if he can undertake to lay it upon the Table at the latest before the close of this Session?
§ MR. E. STANHOPEI regret very much that so great a delay has occurred in the production of this Return. In accordance with the promise given in December last, I caused an inquiry to be addressed to India on the subject. The answer was that the Returns from the local Governments had been found to be unsatisfactory and wanting in uniformity, and that, therefore, fresh Returns had been called for. I presume that the mode of calculating the attendance of Government officials at Divine worship has given rise to some difference of opinion; but I hope that it will not be long before the Return can be presented.