§ 5. Mr. KINGasked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether a Report on modern Indian architecture has lately appeared as the result of an inquiry set on foot through the agency of the Indian Society; and, if so, whether a copy of this Report will be sent to every Member of this House, along with the Report of the Delhi Town Planning Committee, or to any hon. Member who may apply for a copy?
§ Mr. MONTAGUCopies of the Report have arrived, and a copy will be placed in the Library of the House. With the Report the Secretary of State has received some photographs collected by archæological officers in accordance with the suggestion made by the India Society. These also will be placed in the Library for a fortnight, in order that hon. Members may see them before they are sent to the society, who will have full liberty to reproduce them.
§ Mr. KINGWould the right hon. Gentleman consider the propriety of putting those photographs up in the Tea Room, rather than the Library, where they will attract immediate attention?
§ Mr. MONTAGUThat has been considered and I was of opinion it would be better to place them with the Report.
§ Mr. KINGPerhaps there might be a notice attached to them drawing attention to the Report in the Library?
§ Mr. MONTAGUIf my hon. Friend will confer with me we will discuss the alternatives.
§ 6. Mr. KINGasked whether the selected architects for the new Delhi have been preparing plans for Government House; and, if so, when they, or either of them, commenced the work of their plans, and when the construction will be begun?
§ Mr. M0NTAGUThe selected architects are, it is understood, now preparing plans for the new Delhi Government House. It is understood that they commenced these before they left India last March, and that the project will be in a fairly complete state when they return to Delhi in the autumn. The final approval of the 186 Government of India will be necessary before building can commence.
§ Mr. KINGWill there be an opportunity of seeing those plans before they are finally approved so that Members of the House and those who are acquainted with these subjects may offer valuable suggestions?
§ Mr. MONTAGUThe approval of those plans rests with the Government of India, and I do not know that it is possible to do what the hon. Member suggests, but I will consult with the Secretary for India.
§ 7. Mr. KINGasked when it is intended to redeem the promise to exhibit in the Tea Room plans submitted for the new Delhi; and whether plans so shown will be lay-out plans for the city, sketch plans for Government House, or accepted plans for this or other buildings?
§ Mr. MONTAGUPlans of the lay-out of avenues and roads are appended to the Final Report of the Town-Planning Committee, which will be presented and circulated to hon. Members as soon as copies, now on their way from India, are received. There are no sketches or accepted plans in it for Government House or other buildings.