§ MR. C. J. O'DONNELLTo ask the Secretary of State for India if his attention has been drawn to the increase last year in evictions in the districts of the Bombay Presidency for non-payment of land revenue, and to the statement of the Hon. Sir Pherozeshah Mehta in the Bombay legislative Council last month that the unrest in that province was due to the oppressive way in which the Bombay revenue system had been worked for years; and whether, having regard to the warning of John, Lord Lawrence, that we must lose India if the agricultural population become our foes, he will appoint an independent Commission to inquire into and taxation in India.
(Answered by Mr. Secretary Morley.) The latest figures which I have are for the year 1904–5. In that year the area of and declared forfeited for arrears of and revenue was 39,026 acres, against 80,453 acres in 1903–4. There was, therefore, a decrease, not an increase. I have seen the speech to which the hon. Member refers, and am glad to find that it also states that, owing to the issue of amended rules for land revenue remissions
†See (4) Debates, clxxviii., 526.743 and suspensions, the Bombay revenue system has now been improved. I do not propose to take action in the direction suggested.