§ 3. Miss RATHBONEasked the Secretary of State for India what has been the amount of the charges imposed during the past three years upon the revenues of British India in respect of expenditure incurred in the exercise of the responsibilities of the paramount power towards the Indian States; and whether the Legislative Assembly are permitted to discuss this expenditure?
§ Sir S. HOAREThe expenditure referred to is merged with other expenditure in the budget of the foreign and political department of the Government of India, and I am therefore unable to give a precise answer to the hon. Member's question. On a rough estimate made in 1932 by the Government of India, the expenditure attributable to the conduct of relations with the States then amounted to about Rs.85 lakhs, or a little over £600,000 a year. This expenditure is not subject to the vote of the Indian Legislature but is open to discussion therein by leave of the Governor-General.