MR. HERBERT ROBERTS (Denbighshire, W.)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India whether he will state whether it is intended to give effect to the proposals referred to in paragraph 69 of the unanimous Report on Indian 279 Expenditure, to the effect that the Indian financial year should end on 31st December, in order that the Indian Accounts may be laid before Parliament at an earlier date than is now practicable, and with a view to the discussion on Indian Finance taking place earlier in the session.
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR INDIA (Lord G. HAMILTON, Middlesex, Ealing)I stated, in reply to a similar question on the 2nd of April last, that a proposal to make the Indian financial year end on the 31st December had been considered, in 1873, by a Select Committee of this House, who reported against it; and that I had communicated the suggestion of the recent Royal Commission to the Government of India, but did not believe it would be found practicable to adopt it. To this I can add nothing at present.