HC Deb 25 May 1897 vol 49 c1271
MR. SAMUEL SMITH (Flintshire)

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether, in view of the great suffering caused by the Indian famine, and the serious questions raised by it as regards the future administration of India, the Government will bring the Indian Budget before the House at a time when a full attendance of Members may be obtained?

THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY

The hon. Gentleman is aware that the sympathy felt in this House with the sufferings of the people of India is very great, but I do not think that would necessarily produce a large audience for the discussion of the Indian Budget, whatever were the time of year selected for the Debate. I believe we have an example of the Indian Budget being discussed in June, and the audience was not greater then than it is when the Budget is taken at the usual time.

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