§ 16. Sir J. D. REESasked the Under-Secretary of State for India what will be the cost to the Indian taxpayer of the creation of the appointment of Director of Statistics in order to free the head of the Commercial Intelligence Department to tour in commercial centres while stationed at Delhi; whether it is further contemplated by the Government of India to sub-divide the present office of Director-General of Commercial Intelligence into two offices with headquarters at Calcutta and Bombay; if so, at what cost to the Indian taxpayer; and whether the cost of these measures is included in the Governor-General's last estimate of the cost of making Delhi the capital of India?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for INDIA (Mr. Charles Roberts)The net additional cost of the appointment of Director of Statistics is £500 a year. There is no present intention of subdividing the office of Director-General of Commercial Intelligence. The reorganisation was considered advisable for reasons largely unconnected with the transfer of the capital. The answer to the last question is in the negative.
§ Sir J. D. REESDid not the duplication of the offices directly arise out of the transfer of the capital? Was it not a singular coincidence that it happened at the same time?
§ Mr. C. ROBERTSNo. I understand that the division was made for reasons wholly unconnected with the transfer of the capital.