HC Deb 04 December 1912 vol 44 cc2280-1
37. Mr. RUPERT GWYNNE

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India if he wall issue a White Paper containing a full and complete copy of the whole of the correspondence, including the letters already given, as well as those omitted, with Messrs. Samuel Montagu and Company from January, 1912, up to the present time relative to the purchases of silver?

Mr. HAROLD BAKER

The Secretary of State will issue the White Paper asked for.

38. Mr. RUPERT GWYNNE

asked what amounts the India Office had standing to its credit at the beginning of each month, respectively, this year, ready to meet the payments for purchases of silver?

Mr. HAROLD BAKER

Full information is given in the statement that is being circulated to-day in reply to an unstarred question by the hon. Member.

39. Mr. RUPERT GWYNNE

asked in what manner payments were made by the Indian Office to Messrs. Samuel Montagu and Company for purchases of silver from time to time; if, by cheque or order, on what bank were the cheques or orders drawn; and by whom were they signed?

Mr. HAROLD BAKER

Payments were made by means of "Writes off "from" The account of the Secretary of State in Council of India" at the Bank of England to the account of the Union of London and Smiths Bank at the same bank. The Union of London and Smiths Bank were instructed to transfer the amount to the credit of their client, Messrs. Samuel Montagu and Company. "Writes off" were signed, as provided by 22 and 23 Viet., c. 41, s. 3, by the Accountant-General at the India Office or one of the two senior clerks in his Department, and countersigned by clerks empowered by the Secretary of State in Council to do so.

Mr. RUPERT GWYNNE

Are we to understand that the money was handed over from the Bank of England to the Union of London and Smiths Bank?

Mr. BAKER

The money was transferred from one account to another account.

40. Rupert GWYNNE

asked what would be the cost in Bombay per coined rupee of the £500,000 of silver purchased in China on behalf of the Government of India on 11th September at 29⅛ and paid for partly on arrival in Bombay and partly some days after?

Mr. BAKER

The cost is calculated at 11.0582d. per coined rupee.

Mr. RUPERT GWYNNE

Can the hon. Gentleman say whether that is more or less than the cost of rupees coined from silver bought in London at the same time?

Mr. BAKER

I should like notice of that.