§ MR. CHAPLINI beg to ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the recommendations of the Committee upon Indian Currency have been communicated to the Government of India; were they communicated by telegraph; and when does he propose to lay the Report of that Committee upon the Table?
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER (Sir W. HARCOURT,) DerbyThe Report was signed on the 31st May, and transmitted to the Government of India on the 2nd June. The Government of India have been requested to communicate their opinions by telegraph as soon as possible after the receipt of the Report. The recommendations of the Committee have been telegraphed to the Indian Government; but we think it necessary that they should have the whole Report in their hands before they express their opinions. It is impossible to state, at present, when the Report can be laid before the House.
§ LORD RANDOLPH CHURCHILLThen are we to wait until the Indian Government have considered the Report of Lord Herschell's Committee?
§ SIR W. HARCOURTIt is the duty of the Government to state what their view of the Report is, and they cannot do that until they know what is the opinion of the Indian Government?
§ LORD R. CHURCHILLIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that both in Calcutta and in the City of London there are enormous speculations dependent on the decision that may be come to?
§ SIR W. HARCOURTI am very sorry that the Government have no power to prevent speculations either in Calcutta or in London.
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURCan the light hon. Gentleman give a pledge that nothing will be done in India till this House has had an opportunity of considering the Report of the Committee and the opinions of the Indian Government thereupon?
§ SIR W. HARCOURTI am afraid that I cannot give that pledge?