§ Sir JOHN ROLLESTONasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why the Indian rupee, with its artificial value of 1s. 4d., is imposed upon East Africa; and whether he will consider the possibility of applying the profit accruing from the coinage of rupees to the benefit of the Colony of East Africa instead of, as now, being paid as a tribute from that Colony to the Indian Government?
Mr. HARCOURTThe adoption of the rupee as the standard coin in East Africa was the result of the employment of Indian labour in the early stages of the development of the country. The question whether any change in the currency arrangements is now desirable is already under my consideration.