SIR MANCHERJEE BHOWNAG-GREE (Bethnal Green, N.E.)I beg to 590 ask the First Lord of the Treasury, if he can state to the House why the Royal Commissioners on Indian Expenditure, appointed in 1895, have not made their Report; and, whether it is to be hoped that the Commissioners will make their Report without further delay.
§ * LORD G. HAMILTONI have already explained in replies to various questions that I have no power over the proceedings of this Commission; but the present condition of things can be best explained by the letter which I have had addressed to the Secretary of the Commission, which I will read:
I am directed by Lord George Hamilton to call your attention to the fact that the Royal Commission appointed to inquire into Indian expenditure held its last meeting upon July 27th, 1897, after which day it adjourned.A period of nearly two years has therefore elapsed, during which no meetings have been held, nor. so far as the Secretary of State can ascertain, has any material advance been made towards the adoption of a report upon the matters referred to the Commission for investigation.This delay is a matter of much regret to Her Majestys Government.Lord George Hamilton therefore requests that you should communicate this letter to every member of the Commission in order that they may inform him whether, and if so, when, they propose by the submission of a report to Her Majesty, to discharge the functions entrusted to them; and on receipt of their replies he will consider what advice he should submit to the Queen, through the Home Secretary, as to the continuance of the Commission.Considerable inconvenience has already been caused to this Department, from its inability to settle various outstanding financial questions which were specially referred to the Commission for their opinion.
§ * LORD G. HAMILTONNo; the letter has only just been sent.
§ * LORD G. HAMILTONI think my honourable friend can ascertain.
§ * LORD G. HAMILTONThe chairman is Lord Welby.