§ MR. BAXTERasked the Secretary of State for India, If he has yet received the full information regarding the financial condition of India which he expected first on the 10th of June, and then on the 20th of June, if not, what is the cause of the delay; and, if he has any reason to believe that the deficit is greater than has been stated?
THE MARQUESS OF HARTINGTONThe fuller information promised on the 20th of June has been received. The Papers were immediately placed in the printer's hands. Some further telegraphic correspondence, however, has been going on for the purpose of ascertaining the exact financial position at the present moment. That only came to a close on the 3rd of July, and that will be included in the Papers which will almost immediately be presented. With regard to the latter part of the Question, it is now understood that the excess of the war expenditure over the Estimates in the Financial Statement was £9,000,000; but the greater part has been disbursed from the balances before the 31st of March last, though not brought into account. The excess to be met in the year 1880–81 is now estimated at £3,370,000.