§ 105 and 106. Mr. RUPERT GWYNNEasked (1) the Under-Secretary of State for India what purchases of silver were made for the Government of India during 1913, from whom the purchases were made, the dates at which the purchases were made, and the price paid on each occasion; and (2) what portion of the bills and transfers 828 in India sold by the India Office during the last twelve months, realising £30,700,000, represented the Home charges; for what purpose was the balance required; and, if to purchase silver bullion, how much is accounted for under that head?
§ Mr. C. ROBERTSI am circulating the information with the Votes.—[See OFFICIAL REPORT, Thursday, 26th March, cols. 570–571.] Of the sum of £31,200,000 (approximately) now expected to be realised by the sale of council drafts in 1913–14, £21,650,000 is the amount budgeted for towards meeting Home charges (on account of revenue, capital, and miscellaneous purposes) in 1913–14; £1,415,700 represents additional Home expenditure in 1913–14 on capital account, including discharge of debt; £4,528,200 represents payment for silver purchased, and £2,150,000 a remittance from India of profits on the coinage of rupees to be added to the Gold Standard Reserve. The balance is to be used towards meeting the Secretary of State's general requirements after the 31st March, 1914.