§ 7. Mr. KINGasked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that the Report of the Delhi Town-Planning Committee recommends a thoroughfare being driven through the existing city and to connect the new city with St. James's Church; that this road would pass through a flourishing part of the city; and that a number of fine residences would be demolished; and whether the Delhi Executive Committee will be instructed to reconsider this proposal with a view to a minimum amount of disturbance of old-established residents being undertaken?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for INDIA (Mr. Montagu)The Government of India have stated that the proposals of the Town-Planning Committee will receive very careful examination, and that some will probably be deferred and others modified. My hon. Friend may rest assured that the considerations to which he refers will not be lost sight of in dealing with this particular proposal.
§ 8. Mr. KINGasked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether any estimate has been formed of the number of persons to be dispossessed and disturbed and of the cost of purchase, demolition, and reconstruction of buildings, if the proposed new road connecting the new capital of Delhi with St. James's Church in the ancient city is carried through; if so, whether figures can be stated; and, if no such estimates have been formed, whether they will be requested from the Government of India?
§ Mr. MONTAGUThe Secretary of State has no information on the subject beyond what is contained in the Delhi Town-Planning Committee's Report. He does not propose to adopt the suggestion of my hon. Friend, but a general project estimate is being prepared, which will include every proposal that is finally accepted by the Government of India.
§ 10. Mr. KINGasked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he can give an assurance that the plans for the Government House and the secretariat buildings in the new Delhi will not be finally approved nor work upon them begun until the designs and drawings have been in 2231 some way made public and time has been allowed for public opinion, whether critical or approving, to find expression?
§ Mr. MONTAGUThe Secretary of State does not propose to fetter the discretion of the Government of India in the matter, though lie has little doubt that the public will be afforded an opportunity of seeing the designs before work is begun on them.
§ Mr. KINGDoes the promise that the designs will be shown before the work is begun refer both to exhibition in India as well as in England?
§ Mr. MONTAGUNo; these matters are entirely within the discretion of the Government of India, to whom the Secretary of State delegated the duty of preparing and considering these plans.
§ Mr. KINGWill the Secretary of State intimate to the Government of India that it is desirable both in India and in this country that some opportunity for public criticism before approval should be afforded?
§ Mr. MONTAGUMy hon. Friend's question and my answer will be published in India as a matter of course.