§ MR. CAINEI beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury if he can state about what time it will be possible for the Indian Budget to be brought before the House; and whether, in view of the large deficit budgetted for and the important debate which has taken place in the Viceroy's Legislative Council on the present condition of Indian finance and the possibility of large retrenchment and reduction of expenditure, he will arrange that two days shall be given for the discussion of the Budget?
§ THE FIRST LORD OP THE TREASURY (Mr. W. E. GLADSTONE,) Edinburgh, MidlothianThe hon. Member will agree with me that it is rather early for the Government to attempt to allocate a particular date for the Indian Budget at this period of the Session. I do not, however, entirely abandon the hope of taking it somewhat earlier and at a more seasonable period than in recent times had been the case. With regard to the discussion itself, I 341 think it would be premature to attempt to determine at present the exact length of time over which the discussion ought to extend. In the view of the Government, the House will not be prepared for that discussion until the Report of the Committee now sitting has been received.
§ LORD E. CHURCHILL (Paddington, S.)Will the right hon. Gentleman use his great personal influence to expedite the Report referred to? The delay is causing the greatest possible uncertainty in India, and no thorough discussion can take place until the Report of the Committee on Indian Finance has been presented to the House.
§ MR. W. E. GLADSTONEI agree with the noble Lord, and if I can do anything in that direction it shall be done.