HC Deb 10 August 1893 vol 15 cc1774-5
MR. CHAPLIN (Lincolnshire, Sleaford)

I beg to ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he can give the reference to the passages in which Sir David Barbour recalled his evidence given before the Gold and Silver Commission, and had changed his views as to the amount of uncoined silver in the form of ornaments or in hoard in possession of the Native population of India?

MR. T. M.HEALY

May I ask you, Mr. Speaker, whether this is not an attempt to continue Tuesday's Debate on Indian Currency through the instrumentality of a question; and whether, in those circumstances, the question is not irregular?

* Mr. SPEAKER

In the Debate referred to a very definite statement was made with reference to Sir David Barbour's evidence, and in the circumstances I think it would be competent for the right hon. Gentleman to answer the question.

THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER (Sir W.HARCOURT,) Derby

The question has been put under some misapprehension. I made no such statement with regard to Sir David Barbour. I did refer to Sir David Barbour having said he had changed his opinion with reference to the hoarding of coined money—rupees—but, having looked at the report of my speech, I do not find any indication of my having made any such statement as Sir David Barbour having recalled his evidence given before the Gold and Silver Commission, and having changed his view as to the amount of uncoined silver. I said, "I am not going into the question of uncoined silver," and I also said— To quote Sir David Barbour's evidence in 1888 against the plan which he sent to England, after recommending it and passing it through the Legislative Council in India, is ready unfair. I did not intend to say that Sir David Barbour had changed his views as to the amount of uncoined silver.

MR. CHAPLIN

Perhaps the House will allow me, as a matter of personal explanation, to say that I only placed this question on the Paper because I understood the right hon. Gentleman to say across the Table during the Debate that in regard to the amount of uncoined silver Sir David Barbour had changed his views. I am very glad to find that that is not so, and I can assure the right hon. Gentleman that the question is no allegation against him.