§ 8. Mr. KINGasked whether the technical scholarships given to Indian students by the Government of India for studying textile manufacture in Europe are intended to promote the factory sys tem and to assist joint stock companies in competing with the indigenous hand weaving industry in India; and whether the course of study prescribed for these scholarship holders in English technical colleges tends in that direction?
§ Mr. C. ROBERTSThe technical scholarships awarded by the Government of India are intended, not to prejudice any existing industry, but to quality the holders, on returning to India, to promote 1748 the improvement of existing native industries or the development of new industries, as in particular circumstances may be most advantageous to the country.
§ 9. Mr. KINGasked whether any scholar ships have been given to sons of Indian hand-weavers or others to enable them to study recent developments of hand-weaving in Europe, especially the successful creation of village industry by the Congested Districts Board in Ireland; and whether the Government of India have considered the feasibility of applying the methods followed in Ireland on a large scale for reviving the weaving of common fabrics in Indian villages?
§ Mr. C. ROBERTSI am not aware that any technical scholarships have been awarded to the sons of hand-weavers in India. With reference to the second part of the question, the various Governments in India have already taken action similar to that of the Congested Districts Board, with a view to improving the looms of village weavers and organising their methods of business; and a textile expert has recently been selected in this country, and will proceed to India in the autumn with the object of prosecuting this work in the central provinces.
§ Mr. KINGHas this textile expert had any previous connection with India or experience of Indian methods?
§ Mr. ROBERTSI will let my hon. Friend know.