§ Mr. RENNIE SMITHasked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether, in view of the recent loss of human life, stock, and crops in Indian floods, it is the intention of the Government of India to set up an all-Indian food inquiry committee; whether he is aware that the Government of India promised in the Indian Legislative Assembly in 1924 to make a departmental investigation; that since then there have been merely localised inquiries in the provinces of Bihar and Orissa and Burma, but no efforts by the provincial governments or the central government to co-ordinate the investigations into the causes of floods; and whether, in view of the fact that Bengal, Bombay, Madras, United Provinces, and the Punjab equally suffer distress in floods, he will press on the Government of India the urgency for the appointment of such a committee?
§ Earl WINTERTONThis matter formed the subject of a debate in the Legislative Assembly in 1924 and of questions in September last. If the hon. Member so desires, I shall be glad to furnish him with copies of the Proceedings from which he will see that the Government of India, while recognising that flood prevention and protection were primarily provincial matters, were prepared to assist local governments so far as lay in their power. My Noble Friend is not prepared to act on the suggestion contained in the last part of the question.