HC Deb 27 April 1915 vol 71 cc582-3
81. Mr. KING

asked the Under-Secretary for India whether his attention has been called to the account furnished by the consulting architect to the Government of India on the work done by craftsmen on the building of the Gwalior Residency; and whether, in view of the official testimony to the fact that Indian craftsmen, when inadvertently left without full size drawing, are able to carry out details with freedom, taste, adherence to the leading ideas of the British architect, and with pride and delight in their work, instructions are now being given to save the expense of drawing full-sized details of mouldings, ornaments, etc., so that office expenses may be saved and Indian master-builders and craftsmen may be encouraged in their traditional art?

Mr. C. ROBERTS

The Secretary of State has noticed the paragraph in the Report by the Consulting Architect to the Government of India to which the hon. Member alludes. The Government of India are also no doubt aware of it. They have expressed their intention to give facilities to such an extent as may be found practicable for Indian sentiment to find expression in New Delhi through the medium of Indian craftsmen and builders, and the Secretary of State does not consider it necessary to issue any special instructions in the matter.

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