§ 1. Mr. DAYasked the Secretary of State for India whether he will give particulars of the damage notified to his Department done by floods in Lower Burma; has he any information of the amount of the loans that have been issued to assist replanting; and will he give particulars of any Government casualties that have occurred since his last statement?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for INDIA (Sir Samuel Hoare)As regards the first two parts of the question, I have received up to the present no more detailed information than that given in the weekly statements already issued. As regards the third part I am circulating a report covering the events of last week from which it will be seen that Government forces suffered two casualties in that period.
§ Sir S. HOAREI have not that information. If the hon. Member wants it and puts down a question, I will see if I can get it for him.
§ Following is the report:
§ The principal feature of the week was the successful accounting for several rebel leaders. The most important leader in the Pegu District and his brother-in-law were killed. A leader in the Tharrawaddy District for whom a reward of Rs.1,000 was offered and several other less important leaders were captured. The situation in the Thayetmyo 1252 District has been improved by continuous activity. The reports of concentration on the Insein-Pegu Border have proved exaggerated, but precautionary measures are being taken. Gangs of rebels and criminals from the Prome side displayed some activity on the Tharrawaddy border, but have withdrawn to the hills and measures to deal with them are being taken. Government forces suffered two casualties. Surrenders were again rather few. The number of persons remaining in custody is 948, 54 releases being balanced by new arrivals. The number of important crimes remains much the same, figures for Prome and Henzada Districts again being had, but those for Thayetmyo better. The price of paddy dropped by about Rs.l0. The conditions in Lower Burma continue the same. Reports of improved conditions have been received from the dry zone, but the numbers employed on relief works continue much the same.