MR. PICKBRSGILL (Bethnal Green, S. W.)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for India what reply has been given to a Memorial addressed to His Excellency Lord Connemara by the printing and cognate trades of Madras, complaining of the competition which they have to sustain with the Lawrence Asylum Press, a quasi Government institution, and protesting against the contemplated extension of its operations; whether the Asylum Press is exempt from the payment of Income Tax; whether it has recently added a new branch, namely, the sale of books on commission; and whether the election of enormous new premises has commenced, and at what estimated cost?
SIR J. GORSTThe whole subject of the Memorial in question and the position of the Lawrence Asylum Press is now under the consideration of the Madras Government. So far as the Secretary of State is aware, no decision has yet been arrived at.
§ MR. PICKERSGILLCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether, in the meantime, the construction of the new premises will be proceeded with?