24. Sir HERBERT ROBERTSasked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether replies have been received from the local 518 governments with reference to the representations upon questions of Excise administration submitted by the deputation which waited upon the Secretary of State for India on the 18th July, 1912; and, if not, whether, in view of the importance of the questions involved, he will request the Government of India to obtain replies from all the local governments as soon as possible?
§ Mr. MONTAGUThe Government of India have received replies only from the North-West Frontier Province and Delhi. They reported by telegram on the 7th July that they were sending reminders to the other provinces, and that they would deal with the question without avoidable delay.