§ 15. Mr. WELLOCKasked the Under-Secretary of State for India if he can supply information as to the extent to which co-operative banks have been established with Government assistance in the villages of India; whether they are confined to any particular area; if they 1664 have been a success; and whether it is contemplated to establish such banks on a larger scale?
§ Earl WINTERTONThe statistics for 1924–25, which are the last available, show 555 banks and 59,951 agricultural credit societies. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative and to the third in the affirmative. As the report on the moral and material progress and condition of India shows, there has been a great increase in co-operative activities in the last ten years. As regards the last part of the question, the subject of co-operative societies is transferred to provincial governors acting with their ministers, but the methods by which agricultural operations are financed and credit afforded to agriculturists are within the terms of reference to the Royal Commission on Agriculture in India.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODCan the Noble Lord say anything as to what appears in the Press this morning: and as to whether this report is likely to appear in the near future?
§ Earl WINTERTONI know nothing officially of what is stated in the Press this morning. If the right hon. and gallant Gentleman will put down a question. I will make inquiries.