§ MR. WEIR (Ross and Cromarty)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India whether, in view of the fact that the Committee which assembled in Simla last June, to consider the question of the establishment of mutual credit institutions in country districts for the benefits of the ryots and poorer classes of the community, have recommended the establishment of some such institution in the form of agricultural banks, he will state whether the various local governments of India who have been consulted on the subject have yet sent in their reports; and, if not, will he ascertain the cause of the delay.
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR INDIA (Lord G. HAMILTON,) Middlesex, EalingI am not aware if the reports alluded to have been completed, but as all the governments concerned are fully alive to the importance of the subject I am satisfied that they will expedite their proceedings as rapidly as the intricacy of the subject permits.