§ MR. BRADLAUGHI beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for India, having regard to the fact that his explanatory Memorandum on the Indian Budget was last year issued on the 15th of May, if he will state the cause of the delay this Session in the issue of such Memorandum; and when will it be circulated to Members?
SIR J. GORSTWhat the hon. Gentleman is pleased to call an "explanatory Memorandum" is a personal statement which I have been in the habit of circulating for the last year or two for the purpose of shortening my speech on the Indian Budget. It was issued early last year—on the 20th of May, I think—because an earlier discussion of the Budget was expected. It will be circulated this year a few days before the Committee on the Indian Budget is taken.
§ *MR. BRADLAUGHMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether, in regard to what he says I am pleased to call an "explanatory Memorandum," he did in print not so describe it himself last year?