§ Mr. GWYNNEasked the Secretary of State for India whether the gold mohur coined last year against the advice of the Royal Commission of 1913 is accepted by the Government of India as a legal tender for 15 rupees and is only worth 12 rupees; if the Government of India lose 3 rupees whenever this coin is tendered for taxes; and whether the Government is also under an obligation to give 15 rupees on demand in exchange for the mohur?
§ Mr. MONTAGUThe mohur is accepted by Government as legal tender for 15 rupees. The coin is worth 15 rupees for all internal transactions, including payment of taxes. As each mohur coined was first paid out by Government in discharge of an obligation for 15 rupees, and can be so issued again, no less would be entailed upon Government by the receipt of mohurs in payment of taxes. A mohur, or a sovereign held in India, are both rated at 15 rupees for internal transactions, and are therefore equivalent to 25s. in external exchange, at the present exchange rate of Is. 8d. the rupee. The reply of the 21st May referred to the value of the gold content, not of the coin as legal tender, as being the equivalent of 12 rupees in external exchange. The reply to the last inquiry is in the negative.