§ MR. HART-DAVIES (Hackney N)To ask the Secretary of State for India if he can state the amount of rainfall in Guzerat and the Deccan since the 1st June; and what is the probable forecast of the monsoon.
(Answered by Mr. Secretary Morley.) In a telegram of the 9th July the Viceroy reports "general and beneficial rain in Bombay, though insufficient in parts of three affected districts, in two of which sowing operations have been retarded; fodder continues scarce, and cattle not yet improved in condition; drinking water supply improved, but still insufficient in parts; prices continue high; numbers on relief decreasing; employment sufficient." The forecast issued in June last by the Meteorological Department predicts a seasonable rainfall not appreciably smaller in amount than that of the past year.