HC Deb 13 April 1896 vol 39 c740
MR. M. M. BHOWNAGGREE (Bethnal Green, N. E.)

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India, whether the Government of India have largely increased their contribution to the Imperial Institute; and, if so, will he state the purpose for which the grant is made, and its total amount, and see that the money is devoted strictly to promoting the interests of Indian arts, industries, and economic resources by the expenditure being entrusted to a body of experts, acting in consultation with Sir Frederick Abel, and not to the ordinary administrative officials of the Imperial Institute; and, whether he will place on the Table any correspondence that has passed on the subject between the Government of India, the India Office, and the Imperial Institute?

THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR INDIA (Lord GEOEGE HAMILTON,) Middlesex, Ealing

The Government of India have increased their contribution to the Imperial Institute, from £500 to £750 a year with the object of promoting the interests mentioned in the hon. Member's question. A Committee of gentlemen of Indian experience has been appointed to co-operate with the staff of the Institute, and to secure the application of this contribution to the purposes for which it was intended. I shall have no objection to the publication of the correspondence which has passed on this subject if the hon. Member will move for it.