HC Deb 20 February 1918 vol 103 cc759-60W
Mr. STEWART

asked the Secretary of State for India if he will state the amount of rupee notes issued by the Indian Government at the present time and how much of the issue is of notes below 5 rupees; and also the amount of bullion and cash in coined rupees and gold held in India against the issue of such notes?

Mr. HERBERT FISHER

The figures of the note circulation and reserve on the 15th instant were as follows:

Lakhs of Rupees,
Notes in circulation 10.391
Silver coin and bullion 1.345
Gold coin and bullion 2.898
Securities 6.148

Of the amount of notes in circulation on that date not more than 5 per cent. at the outside, on a rough calculation, was represented by notes below 5 rupees.

Mr. STEWART

asked the Secretary of State for India if he will state the net import of gold coin and bullion into India from the closing of the Mint in 1893 to the end of the last century, from 1st January. 1900, to 4th August, 1914, and from the commencement of the War until 31st December, 1917; and will he state the amount of gold held by the Government in India on 31st December, 1917?

Mr. FISHER

The statistics asked for are as follows:

  1. (1) Net import of gold coin and bullion into India from the closing of the Mints on 26th June, 1893, to 31st December, 1900,
    • £15,840,900 (approximate).
  2. (2) From 1st January, 1900, to 4th August, 1914,
    • £137,922,600 (approximate).
  3. (3 From 4th August, 1914, to 30th September, 1917,
    • £19,749,000 (approximate).
    • Later figures are not yet available.
  4. (4) Gold held by the Government of India in India on 31st December, 1917,
    • £17,816,000.