§ MR. REESTo ask the Secretary of State for India what is the percentage of persons in receipt of relief in India, as compared with the last ascertained percentage in the like case for England and Wales; whether a practical system 1710 of relieving distress arising from crop failure has been elaborated in India, and whether famine reports or other documents show, or whether any evidence is available to show, that the existing system stands in need of experimental legislation.
(Answered by Mr. Secretary Morley.) Struck on the whole population of India the ratio is now about one half of 1 per cent. The ratio of paupers on outdoor relief in England and Wales was stated to be a little over 1 per cent. in 1907. As I explained in the Answer made by me to a similar Question on 18th February, the extent of the relief given in distressed districts where the Famine Relief Code is being applied is much in excess of the above figure. The Answer to the latter part of the Question is in the negative.