4. Mr. GIDEON MURRAYasked the Secretary of State for India whether he has now completed his inquiry into the excessive profits being made by the Government of India on the sale of rice to Ceylon and neighbouring British Colonies; and whether he will make a statement on the matter?
§ Mr. FISHERThe Viceroy will receive to-morrow a deputation from Ceylon, and I expect to receive a telegraphic report of the proceedings within the next few days. 409 If my hon. Friend will be good enough to put down a question next week, I hope to be in a position to make a statement.
§ 6. Mr. MYERSasked the Secretary of State for India whether he has any information to the effect that rice is being withheld from the market by merchants, especially in Bombay; and, if so, what steps are being taken to safeguard the people of India?
§ Mr. FISHERI have no information, but I am confident that if supplies are withheld from the market the authorities in India will take suitable action. The lowering of prices is a matter of the closest concern to the Government of India, and it was primarily with this object that they have assumed control of the Burma rice trade.
9. Mr. TALBOTasked the Secretary for India whether it is a fact that the Government of India has fixed the export price of rice at Rs. 1,000 per 100 baskets, viz., 7,500 lbs., for which they pay the producer Rs. 455, charging this price to countries within the British Empire and thereby raising the price by 2¼d. a lb. in this country: and whether he can see his way to reduce this excessive charge in British dominions?
§ Mr. FISHERI would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to the question asked by the hon. Member for the St. Rollox Division of Glasgow. I hope to be able to make a full statement on the subject next week.