§ MR. ASHTON (Cheshire, Hyde)asked the Under Secretary of State for India, Whether "the Review of the Trade of British India with Foreign Countries for the Official Year ended the 31st March 1885," by Mr. J. E. O'Conor, just issued as a Blue Book, is identical with that issued by the Indian Government last August; if so, whether there is any reason why its publication in this Country has been so long delayed; and, whether it is essential to incur the expense of publication both in India and in England?
§ THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE (MR. STAFFORD HOWARD) (Gloucester, Thornbury)The Blue Book just issued contains Mr. O'Conor's Trade Report; but it is not identical with the volume issued by the Government of India, as it also contains Tables giving full details of the trade of British India for the five years 1880–1 to 1884–5. The preparation and printing of these quinquennial Tables caused the 58 delay about which the hon. Member asks. The most economical manner of presenting these Tables to Parliament was carefully revised a few years ago, when it was decided that every fifth year quinquennial Tables should be prepared.