§ MR. FIELD (Dublin, St. Patrick)To ask the Secretary of State for India whether, seeing that during the past financial year an unusual amount of silver was purchased by the Indian. Government, whether he can state the exact sum so purchased; and, having regard to the fact that during the present financial year no silver was bought, whether he will consider the advisability of adopting a policy which will prevent any disturbance of the world's silver market and the exchange currency of Asia.
(Answer.) 1. The amount paid for the purchase of silver during the past financial, year was £2,885; but the hon. Member's Question is probably intended to refer to the year 1900–1, when silver was bought in England for the Government of India to the value of £5,649,924, besides about £400,000 bought in India. 2. The Government cannot undertake to buy silver for the coinage of rupees except when there is reason to believe that such coinage will soon be needed in India.—(India Office.)