MR. HERBERT ROBERTS (Denbighshire, W.)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India whether the allocation of capital expenditure in the current 944 year (as per Return 137) of 59,000,000 rupees for railways and 4,500,000 rupees for irrigation projects is open to revision; and, if so, whether it is the intention of the Government of India to increase the grant under the latter head with a view to promoting the extension of water storage in India as a precaution against future drought.
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR INDIA (Lord GEORGE HAMILTON,) Middlesex, EalingThe figures of 4,500,000 rupees given in Return No. 137 refer only to expenditure on Major Irrigation Works actually in course of construction at the date of the Return. The financial statement for this year shows that in 1903–04 it is proposed to expend £666,700 on the construction of Major Irrigation Works, £166,700 on the construction of Protective Irrigation Works, and £810,500 (net) on the construction and maintenance of Minor Irrigation Works, the last two amounts being charged against the revenue of the year. This gives a total expenditure of £1,643,900 on Irrigation Works. The Government of India, after full consideration, deliberately put forward this Estimate of expenditure, and I know of no reason why it should be now altered.