§ MR. WEIRTo ask the Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that for the ten years 1890–91 to 1899–1900 inclusive, there were sold by auction by the Indian Government in the Madras Presidency, in default of payment of land revenue, 343,096 acres of land held by 124,078 defaulters; and, seeing that out of 343,096 acres of land thus put up for auction only 193,725 acres were sold, will he say how the remaining 149,371 acres, which were bought in by the Government for want of bidders, have been dealt with.
(Answered by Secretary Lord George, Hamilton). The hon. Member is referred to my answer to a similar Question 663 asked by him on the 4th instant, † I there explained that the Government disposes of the lands to cultivators as opportunities arise.