§ 15. Mr. ERNEST BROWNasked the Secretary of State for India what was the original estimate of the number of copies of the Royal Commission's Report which would be available in India; how many copies were in fact ordered 773 for India; if copies are now procurable; whether additional orders have been given; and, if so, for how many copies?
§ Mr. BENNThe Government of India originally estimated the number of copies of the Commission's Report required for India at 7,000 of each volume. This number of copies was despatched. In the case of Volume I, 3,000 copies should have been available for distribution about 14th June, apart from the copies made available to the Press on the day of publication and the remainder by the end of this week. In the case of Volume II, apart again from advance copies for the Press, 3,000 copies should be available for distribution by the end of, this week, and the remainder by about 11th July. In addition, arrangements have been made to despatch this week and next week 7,000 further copies of Volume I and 13,000 further copies of Volume II for sale in India.
§ Mr. BROWNDoes not the right hon. Gentleman think, in view of the value of and interest in this great Report, that 7,000 copies is a meagre estimate for 300,000,000 souls? [Interruption.]
§ Mr. BENNThese figures were arrived at after consultation, and I have no doubt that, if more copies are required, they will be forthcoming.
§ Mr. BROWNIs not 7,000 copies a ridiculously small estimate, even taking into account all the illiteracy there? Surely, 7,000 copies is a ridiculous number, even for the Europeans in India who would desire to read this great Report?
§ Mr. BENNIf the hon. Member will read my answer, he will find that I have said that supplementary demands are to be met by supplementary supplies.
§ Sir TUDOR WALTERSWill the right hon. Gentleman consider the translation of this Report into different European languages?
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHACan the right hon. Gentleman say who pays for the copies ordered for India? Are they 774 being ordered by the Indian Government, or do they collect the money for them?
§ Mr. BENNI shall be glad to give the hon. Member those particulars if he will be so kind as to put a question on the Paper.
§ 19. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the Secretary of State for India what steps have been taken to arrange for the translation of the Report of the Indian Statutory Commission into foreign languages; and whether arrangements are being made for a larger edition of Part II of the Report than was provided of Part I?
§ Mr. BENNAs regards the first part of the question, the matter is under consideration. The answer to the second part is yes.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYWith regard to the answer to the first part of the question, as to translation, could my right hon. Friend say if it is proposed to translate Parts I and II of the report into any of the indigenous languages of India—Hindu and so on?
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYWill my right hon. Friend consider the fact that there are two questions, the one regarding translation into European languages, Japanese, and so on, and the other the necessity of translating the report into the leading Indian languages?
§ Sir AUSTEN CHAMBERLAINCan the right hon. Gentleman say anything about the taking of any steps to circulate Volumes I and II of the English edition of the report in the United States of America?
§ Mr. BENNI shall be glad to make inquiries and to give the right hon. Gentleman the information when I receive it.
§ Mr. ARTHUR MICHAEL SAMUELMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman not to allow the question of expense to stand in the way, but to regard it as quite a secondary matter?