§ 32. Colonel YATEasked whether the visit of the Under-Secretary of State to India is purely a private visit or whether he has been deputed to visit India on duty; and, if the latter, what deputation and travelling allowances is he to be paid from Indian revenues while he is in India, and what is the nature of the duty?
Mr. BAKERLast summer the Under-Secretary of State for India was permitted by His Majesty's Government to accept an invitation from the Viceroy to attend the first meeting of the Legislative Council at Delhi, and was authorised to take the opportunity of being in India to inform himself on various pending questions of administration. The Secretary of State and the Council of India were of opinion that the visit could hardly be regarded as an ordinary private tour, but had a certain official character, and that, in view of various precedents, a contribution should be made towards its cost. A Grant was, therefore, sanctioned for the Under-Secretary of State; but before leaving for India he expressed to the Secretary of State a preference for making the tour at his own expense, and the Accountant-General was accordingly instructed to make no payment on account of the Grant.