§ MR. LAIDLAW (Renfrewshire, E.)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India whether the Government of India has decided upon a scheme for the improvement of Calcutta; what such scheme is estimated to cost; when it is proposed to put it in operation; how the money is to 698 be raised; and, if no decision has been arrived at as to how the cost is to be met, will ho consider the advisability of raising it by means of a temporary export duty on jute (of which Bengal has a monopoly) and jute manufactures.
§ MR. MORLEYMy predecessor gave his general assent to a scheme, the net cost of which was roughly estimated at about £3,000,000, to be met partly by loans and partly by a grant from general revenues. The scheme is at present under discussion by the Bengal Government and the local authorities concerned, and no final decision has been come to as to the total cost or as to how it should be met.