§ 35. Sir J. D. REESasked the Secretary of State for India whether he has received news of the breaking of the monsoon from India; and whether, in that event, he will state the nature of his reports?
§ 36. Sir G. SCOTT ROBERTSONasked the Secretary of State for India whether he can give the monsoon prospects of India and state how the late wheat crop compares with that of the last few years?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for INDIA (Mr. Chamberlain)The monsoon has broken throughout India somewhat later than the normal, and is not yet fully established in North-West India. There are no special circumstances that give rise to apprehension, but the hon. Member knows that prediction in such a matter is hazardous. The weekly report of the Government of India is communicated to the papers as received. The total wheat crop for this year is estimated at 10,269,000 tons, compared with 8,358,000 tons for 1913–14, 9,715,000 for 1912–13, and 9,924,500 for 1911–12.