§ SIR W. WEDDERBURN (Banffshire)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India whether he can state the number of persons on famine relief in the affected districts of India, the extent of the area and the population affected, and the estimated cost of relief up to 31st March and afterwards; and, whether he will now suggest to the Lord Mayor of London the expediency of opening a Mansion House Fund for subscriptions in this country.
§ LORD G. HAMILTONThe number of persons in receipt of famine relief in India at the end of January is approximately 3,500,000. The population affected by the famine is estimated at 49 millions, of which 22 millions are in territory administered by the British Government, and 27 millions in the territories of native princes. The area affected is about 550,000 square miles, of which 150,000 are in British territory and 400,000 in native territory. The relief expenditure up to the end of March 1900 is calculated to be between 3 and 4 crores of rupees. No accurate estimate of the probable relief expenditure after that date can at present be made. As regards the last part of the question I would refer the hon. Baronet to the correspondence which has passed between the Lord Mayor and myself on the subject.