§ Mr. FREEMANasked the Secretary of State for India whether it is the intention of His Majesty's Government to continue to maintain the present price of the rupee at the figure of 1s. 6d.?
§ Mr. BENNThe Government regard the rupee ratio question as having been settled in 1927 when the Indian Legislature passed the Currency Act by which the rupee was rated at 1s. 6d. gold. The Government will use all the means in their power to maintain this rate in accordance with their statutory obligations. If my hon. Friend's inquiry refers to a future date, when the constitutional changes outlined in the Federal Structure Committee's report have been given effect, I would refer him to the relevant paragraph of the Prime Minister's statement on page 81 of the First Conference Blue Book (Cmd. 3772) and to paragraphs 18 and 20 of the Federal Structure Sub-Committee's Report.