§ 4. Mr. BENNETTasked the Secretary of State for India if the freight rate of rice from Rangoon to Bombay is still 55 rupees per ton, as against 30 rupees last year and 8 to 9 rupees before the War; and, if it is, whether he will endeavour, in view of the famine conditions prevailing over wide areas in India, to bring about a substantial reduction in the rate?
§ Mr. MONTAGUIn view of the high price of food grains now prevailing in India, I have represented to the Shipping Controller the necessity for cheapening the cost of transport of rice from Burma to India and pressed for a substantial reduction of the present rate. I have to-day heard that the rates have been reduced to the extent of an average of 43 per cent. on those prevailing in November and December last. The rate from Rangoon to Bombay has now been fixed at Rs. 30 per ton, subject to a rebate of 10 per cent.