§ COLONEL MILWARD (Stratford-upon-Avon)I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury, with reference to the famine now desolating India, whether Her Majesty's Government will reconsider the question of a Grant in Aid, having especial regard to the financial prosperity of this country, to the continuous calls upon the private benevolence of this nation in connection with the war in South Africa, and to the large contributions from the native princes and others in India to the war fund; and, whether, seeing that the objections hitherto raised by the Indian Government to such Grants in Aid have arisen largely from the fear of the creation of a claim for financial interference, he will consider the advisability of placing the proposed Grant under the unfettered control of the Viceroy in Council.
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY (Mr. A. J. BALFOUR, Manchester, E.)I have nothing to add to the answer I gave on this subject to the hon. Member for Cardiff last Thursday.† The hon. Member may be assured that the progress of events in connection with the famine in India is being carefully watched by Her Majesty's Government.