§ Major KELLEYasked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether the Indian Government has placed any orders for material in Germany during the past or current year; whether these orders were completed and delivered within the contract time and price; and whether any have been transferred to this country?
§ Earl WINTERTON:It is the case that some orders have been placed, on behalf of the Government of India, in Germany during the past and the current year. They are small in value and they represent only a fraction of the total purchases of the Government of India, the great bulk of which are bought in this country. These orders have, so far, been completed without modification of price and without serious delay. No orders have been transferred to this country.
§ Major KELLEYasked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether the Indian Government proposes to float any further loan in this country during the current year for development purposes; what is the value of the orders to be placed by the Indian Government for railway material and other constructional work in its present programme of public works; and whether his Department are making representations to ensure that these0 orders are placed in Great Britain?
§ Earl WINTERTON:The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. Apart from any orders that may be placed in 1923–4 for stores to be delivered in subsequent years, the estimated expenditure in 1923–4 on imported rolling stock and stores for the Indian State and guaranteed railways is provisionally put at about 17¾millions. As regards the third part of the question, I would refer to the replies I gave on the 5th March to the hon. Member for Leith and on the 12th December to my hon. and gallant Friend himself.