§ SIR SEYMOUR KING (Hull, Central)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of Slate for India (1) with reference to the intimation by the Viceroy of India to the deputation of the Indian Services on 207 the 31st January last, that the grievance arising from the depreciation in the rupee was one which the Government could not expect them to tolerate, but that the Government was obliged to await the Report of Lord Herschell's Committee, whether there is any immediate prospect of a Report from that Committee; and (2) whether in view of the urgency of the matter in regard to the efficiency of the Civil and Military Services of the Crown in India, the Secretary of State will arrange with the Indian Government to afford relief to those Services, or will consent to the appointment of a Select Committee of this House to inquire into the subject?
§ THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR INDIA (Mr. GEORGE RUSSELL,) North Beds.(1) It is hoped that the Report will be soon ready. (2) The effect of the fall in exchange on the position of the Services is under consideration in connection with the currency question; but it is impossible to separate the two subjects, nor would it be advisable, in the opinion of the Secretary of State, to act in anticipation of any decision which may be arrived at in respect to the currency.