§ SIR EDWARD SASSOON (Hythe)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India whether it is proposed to delay taking any steps concerning the Joint Purse Agreement and the Australian Message Fund, in which India is a partner with the Eastern, the Indo-European, and the Eastern Extension Companies, until after the House has had the opportunity of considering the final Report of the Inter-Departmental Committee on Cable Communication; and can he say when it is expected this final Report will be issued; whether he will arrange to issue a detailed account of the recent negotiations between the Indian Government and the Companies, which have resulted in a reduction of the Indian rate to 2s. 6d.; and whether he will state if it has been arranged that Government messages to and from India be carried at half rates.
§ *LORD G. HAMILTONIt is not proposed to interrupt or delay the negotiations which have, for some time past, been in progress with regard to a date for the determination of the Joint Purse Agreement and of the Australian Message Fund. I do not know when the final Report of the Inter-Departmental Committee will be issued. It is not proposed to publish any account of the negotiations which have led to a reduction of the Indian rate. The rate for Government messages between the United Kingdom and India has always been and will continue to be the same as that for private messages.
§ SIR EDWARD SASSOONIs it not the almost invariable practice to submit for the consideration of the House the findings of and recommendations made by a Committee of Inquiry before they are finally and irrevocably carried into effect?
§ *LORD G. HAMILTONI think my hon. friend assumes that the Report of this Committee will in some way contravene the action we propose to take. I think he will find that that is not the case.