SIR DAVID WEDDERBERNasked the Secretary of State for India, Whether he can state the probable date at which certain Returns as to the salaries of Indian officials, Covenanted and Un-covenanted, European and Native, will be laid upon the Table of the House, these Returns having been ordered by the late House of Commons on the Motion of the Eight honourable gentleman now Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster?
THE MARQUESS OF HARTINGTONSir, the orders of the House of Commons were forwarded to India on the 17th of July last, with a despatch inquiring what expenditure of money was likely to be involved in a compliance with them, and within what period the Returns could be made. On the 22nd of January, 1880, the portion of the Return prepared in the India Office was sent to India with a request that certain columns 782 might be filled up, as the information was not to be obtained here, and the Paper returned as soon as possible; and Lord Cranbrook again requested to be informed when it was likely that the Indian portion of the Returns would be transmitted. No reply has been received to either despatch; but there can be no doubt that the Returns will involve much time and labour in all the Provinces of India. A further despatch will be sent asking when the information may be expected.