§ 1. Colonel Sir C. YATEasked the Under-Secretary of State for India what is the estimated cost of the Fiscal Commission under the chairmanship of Sir 200 Ibrahim Rahimtulla; and when it is expected to report?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for INDIA(Earl Winterton, rising amid general cheers on Ministerial appointment): The Commission is expected to report about the end of May. The Government of India estimated that the Commission would cost 2 lakhs of rupees in the financial year ending 31st March, 1922. No estimate of the expenditure in the next financial year has been received, but it will probably not exceed half a lakh.
§ Sir C. YATEIs the Noble Lord aware that this Commission has been wasting time and money in examining Mrs. Besant, who is an agitator and not a fiscal reformer; and also in listening to the absurd statements that the thumbs of Indian weavers had been deliberately chopped off to prevent them competing against English weavers, and all that sort of nonsense; and what possible advantage does the Noble Lord hope to get as the result of the deliberations of such a Commission?
§ Earl WINTERTONI am not aware that the Commission is wasting time. I am aware that it has been carrying on a most important and a most essential work.
§ Captain ELLIOTCan the Noble Lord give us the present value of a lakh of rupees?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe hon. Member had better put that question down.