§ SIR MANCHERJEE BHOWNAGGREE (Bethnal Green, N. E.)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India whether he has official information to the effect of the telegraphic news received since yesterday of satisfactory rainfalls having taken place in the areas affected by the famine; if so, can he give the total of the rainfall since the monsoon set in up to date in several affected districts, and state if it is regarded as decidedly improving the prospects of the ensuing crops in those parts.
§ LORD G. HAMILTONI am glad to say that I have received a report of good rainfalls in most parts of the famine area. The telegram giving this intelligence was dated Simla, the 14th July, and has been published in the newspapers. But I am afraid I cannot at present give precise figures of the rainfall up to date in the several affected districts.