§ MR. R. G. WEBSTER (St. Pancras, E.)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India whether he is in a position to inform the House, having regard to the large sums of public money now being expended in India in relief works, if the Government of India are carrying forward irrigation works of importance in the parts of India now affected by famine for the mitigation or prevention of subsequent scarcity of food in those districts in the future?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR INDIA (Lord GEORGE HAMILTON,) Middlesex, EalingIn addition to the minor irrigation works which have been recently undertaken in relief of famine, the Government of India are engaged in the construction of very considerable irrigation projects, averaging a capital expenditure of three-quarters of a crore of rupees per annum up to the year 1900. These projects will largely afford protection in the future to the parts now affected by famine, besides; affording similar relief in portions of India which have not been affected on this occasion.