§ MR. WEIR (Ross and Cromarty)To ask the Secretary of State for India, having regard to the fact that the number of ryots evicted in the Bombay Presidency for non-payment of land revenue increased from 2,173 in 1899–1900 to 15,575 in 1903–4, can he state to what cause this increase in the number of evictions is attributed; and, if not, will he order an inquiry to be made on the subject.
§ (Answered by Mr. Secretary Morley.) In reviewing the figures for 1903–4 the Bombay Government pointed out that the entry of 8,869 cases of forfeiture against the Nasik district was apparently incorrect, and ordered an inquiry. The collector's report showed that figures had been accidently transposed and that 266 should be read for 8,869. With this 1301 correction the number of cases of forfeiture in the Presidency in 1903–4 was 6,972, not 15,575. I do not think that further inquiry is necessary.