§ SIR H. COTTONI beg to ask the Secretary of State for India what is the character of the temporary occupation of the Chumbi Valley in Tibet by the British Government, the name of and powers exercised by the civil officer who is in responsible charge of the valley on behalf of the Government, the strength of the British and Indian garrisons stationed in this territory, and the estimated annual cost of the occupation.
§ MR. JOHN MORLEYOur temporary occupation of the Chumbi Valley is based on a system of allowing the people to manage their affairs through their headmen with a right of appeal in certain cases against their headmen to the assistant political agent. After discussion 615 with the local headmen, proposals to raise a revenue estimated at Rs. 4,075 per annum on the lines of the existing system of taxation have been sanctioned by the Government of India. This is less than the amount hitherto raised. The civil officer in responsible charge of the valley is Mr. J. C. White, political officer in Sikkim, with an assistant stationed in the Chumbi Valley. The strength of the troops is two and a half companies of Native Infantry (about 200 men). I have no separate figures of cost. But the total annual cost of the occupation of the Chumbi and of the trade agencies at Gyangtse and Gartok, including military expenditure is Rs. 3,85,600.
§ SIR H. COTTONLooking to the fact that the occupation of the valley was to last for three years only, I should like to know whether the omission to pay the indemnity will protract that occupation.
§ MR. JOHN MORLEYWe must wait, and see whether the indemnity is or is not paid.