asked the Secretary of State for India (1) the total cost to the Indian taxpayer of the 205 members of the Council of State and the Legislative Assembly in India; and whether he can give an estimate of the probable cost of the 635 members proposed under the Government of India Bill; and

(2) how many members there are at present in Provincial Legislative Councils in India; what is the average cost per member to the Indian taxpayer; and whether he can give an estimate of the probable cost of the 1,818 members of Provincial Legislative Councils and Assemblies proposed under the Government of India Bill?

The total cost of allowances to members of the existing Central Legislature in 1932–33—the latest year for which I have actual figures—was Rs.5,96,367. There are at present in the aggregate 995 members of the Provincial Legislatures. The aggregate cost of their allowances in 1932–33 being Rs.6,46,450, the average annual cost of allowances per member was about Rs.650. As regards the new Legislatures proposed under the Bill I am not in a position to give any other estimates of the increased cost than those my right hon. Friend gave the Joint Select Committee, which are published in the Committee's records. These estimates include, of course, other items besides the salaries of Members.

Is the increased salary of members included in the £150,000 additional cost of the new scheme now involved in the Centre and in the Provinces?

The increased cost of the salaries of members of the Legislature, both federal and provincial, is included in the figures to which the hon. and gallant Member has referred.

asked the Secretary of State for India when he expects to be in a position to inform the House as to the nature of the fundamental objections expressed by the Princes of India against certain of the provisions of the Government of India Bill?

If my hon. Friend will put his question down again for Wednesday my right hon. Friend will be able to give him an answer.

Will the hon. Member call the attention of his right hon. Friend to the statement of the Maharaja of Patiala that the present Bill is totally unsatisfactory to the States and cannot be accepted?