§ SIR WILLIAM WEDDERBURN (Banffshire)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India what have been the practical results of Mr. Nicholson's inquiry of 1897 regarding agricultural banks as a means of relieving the rural population of India from oppression by the moneylenders; what were Mr. Nicholson's recommendations as regards making early experiments in establishing agricultural banks; and what steps have been taken to carry out his recommendations, and what success has attended the action of Government.
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR INDIA (Lord G. HAMILTON,) Middlesex, EalingI have not yet received from the Government of India an expression of their views upon the proposals made in Mr. Nicholson's report upon the formation of agricultural banks; but I understand that orders have recently been passed by the Government of Madras on this important matter. I am not yet in a position to state in detail the nature of those orders, but I expect to hear during the present season from the Government of India, who have only recently received the report of the Madras Government on the subject.