§ 66. Mr. LEACHasked the Under-secretary of State for India if he has any official information showing that the cotton grown in India thirty years ago was superior in quality to the cotton grown in that country now; if so, will he say what has caused the deterioration; and will the Government use all proper means at its disposal to improve the quality of Indian cotton?
§ Mr. MONTAGUIt is a generally accepted fact that the quality of Indian cotton has deteriorated. In a White Book presented to Parliament in 1904 on the improvement of Indian cotton, this was attributed to careless cultivation and poor seed, impoverished soils, and hybridisation. The Indian Governments are doing what they can through their agricultural Departments to improve the quality of Indian cotton and of other Indian staple crops.
§ 67. Mr. LEACHasked the Under-Secretary of State for India if his Department is aware that experts in cotton growing seem to agree that it would be easier to 3166 increase the cotton crop of India by 1,000,000 bales than it would be to raise in any new district in Africa 50,000 bales; and, if so, whether he proposes to take any action in the matter?
§ Mr. MONTAGUA statement to the effect mentioned by my hon. Friend has been made. The Secretary of State is in communication with the Government of India with regard to the suggestions for the advancement of cotton growing in India laid before him on 1st July by a deputation representing the International Federation of Master Cotton Spinners' and Manufacturers' Associations.
§ Mr. MONTAGUIt was noticed in the White Book in 1904.