HC Deb 15 June 1931 vol 253 cc1404-5
3. Brigadier - General CLIFTON BROWN

asked the Secretary of State for India whether the rents which are due in the Bardoli district have now been paid and the Irwin-Gandhi agreement carried out there; if not, how much is still owing; and what steps does he propose to take in the matter?

Mr. BENN

Apart from unauthorised arrears on last year's revenue amounting to Rs. 258,000, out of the total current year's demands for land revenue in Bardoli Rs. 422,000 have been paid, leaving a balance, due of Rs. 118,000. In view of the fact that on the 31st March Rs. 372,694 were owing, I do not consider that the recent collections of land revenue in Bardoli give cause for dissatisfaction.

Brigadier-General BROWN

Will the right hon. Gentleman answer the latter part of the question; whether the Irwin-Gandhi agreement has been carried out?

Mr. BENN

The last answer is in the figures I have given the hon. and gallant Member.

Brigadier-General BROWN

They are not very satisfactory. Did not the right hon. Gentleman say when he took over the India Office that he intended to govern. Why does he not do so?

Mr. BENN

Inasmuch as the arrears of money due, 372,000 rupees on the 31st March, have been reduced by the present date to 118,000 rupees the position may, I think, be considered as satisfactory.