§ 14. Sir G. SCOTT ROBERTSONasked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he can give further information as to the condition of the famine districts in the united provinces of Agra and Oudh; are the people becoming emaciated or have they begun to wander; or are their substantial resources greater, and are they showing more confidence and hope than in former famines; is the price of imported fodder prohibitive or is any large proportion of the cattle being saved?
§ Mr. C. ROBERTSThe Viceroy in his speech on 24th March, at the close of the Legislative Council Sessions at Delhi, gave a hopeful account of the situation in the drought affected districts of the United Provinces at Agra and Oudh. He stated that the agricultural population had a series of good seasons behind them and not inconsiderable stocks, that there was promise of an excellent harvest in a great part of the Punjab, and that prices in the United Provinces were rising less rapidly than might have been expected. The latest reports are to the effect that there is little emaciation and little wandering, and that the general health and condition of the labouring and cultivating classes is 736 not unsatisfactory. General rain has recently fallen throughout the distressed area, which is expected to improve the situation to some extent. Fodder is scarce, and serious loss of cattle in some areas in unavoidable, but the Government is importing hay and advancing money for the purchase of fodder and for deepening wells.
§ Sir G. SCOTT ROBERTSONMay I ask my hon. Friend if he has seen an official Report from the United Provinces that hundreds of thousands of animals are dying from want of food at the present time?
§ Mr. C. ROBERTSI have seen an official Report from the United Provinces, but I have not seen the fact reported to which the hon. Member refers.