MR. HERBERT ROBERTS (Denbighshire, W.)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India whether he will state whether, having regard to the fact that a Committee of the citizens of New York have issued an appeal for funds in aid of the sufferers from the famine in India, it is proposed to communicate with all the cities of the United States with a view to obtaining contributions towards the famine fund; and whether, in view of the sympathy manifested in the distress now prevailing in India and of the seriousness of the situation there, the Government will give the House an earlier opportunity than that provided by the Indian Budget of recognising the indications of sympathy alluded to, and of considering the gravity of the present condition of India as it is affected by a famine of such magnitude.
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR INDIA (Lord G. HAMILTON, Middlesex, Ealing)The hon. Member is aware that the charitable funds in aid of the sufferers 582 by the Indian famine are not managed by Government; and I am therefore unable to state what the procedure may be which those who have so generously initiated a. charitable famine fund in the United States will think it necessary to take. The discussion on the Indian Budget is mainly financial, and I do not think it would be advisable to fix the debate at a period when neither the past financial effect or probable duration of the famine could be adequately estimated.
§ MR. WILLIAM REDMONDArising out of that answer, may I ask if it is not the fact that the Viceroy cabled to the United States saying that every dollar was necessary to save life; and whether in the circumstances the Government will undertake to provide the funds for the famine.
§ LORD G. HAMILTONThe hon. Member has, I think, confused two things. The work done by the charitable fund has nothing whatever to do with the work done by the Government fund. The charitable fund is supplementary, but in a different sphere altogether.