§ Mr. RAMSAY MACDONALDasked the Under-Secretary of State for India if any official estimate had been made of the cost of the Durbar which is to be held in Delhi this year, and whether it is to be borne altogether by the Indian taxpayer?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for INDIA (Mr. Montagu)As I informed my hon. Friend the Member for Ipswich on 6th March, provision is made in the Estimates of the Government of India for 1911–12 for an outlay of approximately £1,000,000 in connection with his Majesty's proposed visit. Pending receipt of detailed information which is to be submitted by the Government of India, I am unable to say what part of this sum will be required for the Durbar at Delhi and what part for other ceremonies and incidents of the Royal visit. As I mentioned on 6th March, the Secretary of State is not yet able to say what part, if any, of the expenditure in India will be borne by the British Exchequer.
§ Mr. KEIR HARDIECan the Under-Secretary say whether this sum is intended to include the expenses of the three hundred Indian troops who are coming to this country to attend the Coronation?
§ Mr. MONTAGUYes; £26,000 is included in this Estimate for the expenses of the Coronation visit to this country.
§ Mr. KEIR HARDIEWill that be borne by the Indian Exchequer?
§ Mr. MONTAGUI am not yet in a position to say whether there will be any contribution to this total sum from the Imperial Exchequer.
§ Mr. MALCOLMCan the hon. Gentleman give any guarantee that in the event of a Coronation reception being held at the India Office in London the cost, at any rate, will not fall upon the Indian taxpayer?
§ Mr. MONTAGUI cannot give any guarantee. There is no such suggestion.