§ MR. REES (Montgomery Boroughs)I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for India whether the speedy recovery of the Indian peasantry as soon as periods of abnormally high prices are at an end has been one of the marked features of modern Indian administration; and whether there is a general consensus of opinion that there has been in recent years a progressive improvement in the condition of the inhabitants of the Indian Empire.
§ MR. LUPTON (Lincolnshire, Sleaford)Before the right hon. Gentleman answers that Question, may I ask whether it is not the fact that in recent years there has been a more rapid succession of famines and a corresponding increase in mortality?
§ THE UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE FOR INDIA (Mr. BUCHANAN,) Perthshire, E.I do not think there have been more lamentable famines in recent years. I think that it one compares the ravages of famine in recent years with those of fifty or 100 years ago, one would find that the ravages then were much greater than they are now. As to the Question on the Paper, the view expressed in the first Question is in accordance with the conclusions of recent Famine Commissions and of the local governments. With regard to the second Question, the hon. Member must judge for himself as to the existence of unanimity on the point. I at any rate agree with him, as he will made have gathered from the remarks I made on the Indian Budget.
§ MR. O'GRADY (Leeds, E.)Can the right hon. Gentleman give figures indicating the average income of the population ten years ago and now?
§ MR. BUCHANANNo, I have not any such figures; but I think that on the whole there has been a development in the prosperity of the poorest of the population in India.
§ MR. SWIFT MACNEILL (Donegal, E)These happy people are thriving on 1½d. per day!