§ MR. WEIRTo ask the Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that the Vazir of the Native State of Khairpur recently issued an order to the effect that the State's own rupee coinage is no longer to be accepted by the State Treasury in payment of either land rent, fines, taxes, stamps, or otherwise, with the result that this repudiation on the part of the State has caused a depreciation of six annas per rupee, the native rupee, which was formerly worth fifteen annas being now worth only nine annas. And, seeing that the burden of this loss falls on the native population, will he state whether the Government of India have taken, or propose to take, any action with a view to relieve the people of Khairpur of this loss.
(Answer.) I understand that His Highness the Mir of Khairpur has issued an order to the effect stated in the Question. The Government of India are inquiring into the circumstances, but no official report upon the matter has yet reached me.—(India Office.)