§ 1. Mr. Caryasked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether his attention has been called to the doubts raised as to the validity under the new Government of India Act of the duty on the consumption of electricity now in force in Bengal; and whether he proposes to take any steps to prevent this important source of revenue ceasing to be available to the provincial government?
The Under-Secretary of State for India (Lord Stanley)Yes, Sir. The possibility that this duty might cease to be one within the competence of provincial legislatures to impose was an unforeseen result of the Act of 1935, which my Noble Friend intends to take an early opportunity to seek the authority of Parliament to correct, with effect retrospective to the commencement of the Act.