MR. HERBERT ROBERTSI beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether, in connection with the promised announcement as to the retention of troops in South Africa, His Majesty's Government have had under consideration any proposal for charging India with a proportion of the cost of these troops; and whether an opportunity will be given of considering Indian opinion on the subject before any decision is arrived at.
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI think, perhaps, the hon. Gentleman will agree with me that it would be desirable to wait till the announcement of which he speaks is made before we consider any of the collateral issues connected with it.
§ MR. BUCHANAN (Perthshire, E)Are we to understand that the Government really consider the propriety of putting on the poor taxpayers of India the cost of this first step towards the retrenchment of our Army at home?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURNo, Sir, the hon. Gentleman is not to understand that. He is to understand the answer which I gave, and which I hope is clear.
MR. HERBERT ROBERTSIs it likely that this announcement will be made before the House rises for the recess?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI cannot give any definite statement on that subject, but I should think it probable.
§ *SIR CHARLES DILKEAre we to understand that things were less advanced than the right hon. Gentleman led us to suppose earlier in the session when he said that the matter could be discussed on the War Office Vote?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI have no reason to doubt that it can be discussed on the War Office Vote.
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI cannot say.