§ MR. ANNAN BRYCE (Inverness Burghs)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India whether he can now say when the Indian Budget will be taken; when the Explanatory Memorandum will 59 be issued to Members; and whether he will arrange that it be so framed as to group the more important items of expenditure under headings, as was the usage up to the year 1898.
§ THE UNDER-SECRETARY Of STATE FOR INDIA (Mr. CHARLES HOBHOUSE,) Bristol, E.I have already stated on two or three occasions that I hope that the discussion will take place in the first week or ten days after the Whitsun holidays. The Explanatory Memorandum is now in the hands of the printers and will be distributed as soon as possible. I do not understand the exact nature of the change in arrangement which my hon. friend desires, but if he will favour me with his suggestions in detail, they will be borne in mind next year.
§ MR. ELLIS (Nottinghamshire, Rushcliffe)Will the hon. Gentleman do his best to expedite the issue of the Memorandum?
§ MR. CHARLES HOBHOUSEIt will be distributed as soon as possible.
§ SIR CHARLES DILKE (Gloucestershire, Forest of Dean)And the Report of the Budget debate also?
§ MR. CHARLES HOBHOUSEI do not think there will be any difficulty about that.
§ MR. ANNAN BRYCECan we have it a week before the Budget is taken, so that hon. Members may have an opportunity of absorbing the information it contains?
§ MR. CHARLES HOBHOUSEI cannot do more than promise it as soon as possible.