§ MR. CAINE (Cornwall, Camborne)To ask the Secretary of State for India, with reference to the charges incurred 384 in connection with the official Indian visitors in this country for the Coronation, whether the British Exchequer is to pay only charges in respect of the representatives of the Presidency towns and the Provinces; whether the British Exchequer will defrar any, and, if so, what charges in respect of visitors who were Indian princes or chiefs; and who will defray the expenses of the Indian military contingent, of transport of the troops to this country and back to India, and of the reception held at the India Office on 4th July respectively.
(Answered by Secretary Lord G. Hamilton.) The Treasury has undertaken to bear the whole of the expenditure incurred in this country on account of the visit of Indian princes, delegates, and troops on the occasion of the Coronation, including the cost of the reception at the India Office; but, in accordance with the course followed in the case of Colonial visitors, all transport charges will be borne by India.