§ 70 and 71. Mr. CHORLTONasked the Secretary of State for India (1) whether he is aware that experience indicates that heavy earthquake shocks in regions known to be subject to them are generally preceded by minor tremors which can be detected by suitable instruments, thus making it possible to give warning to the public; and whether he will refer this and cognate questions to the International Seismological association at Oxford and the Geological Society of London for further inquiry; and
(2) whether, in view of the damage caused by recent earthquakes in areas known to be liable to the m, arid of the specific recommendations in the concluding section of the report on the Baluchistan earthquakes of 1931(Volume 67, Memoirs of Geological Survey of India), he will appoint, in communication with the Government of India, a technical commission, including a geologist and seismologist and civil engineers with experience of erecting earth-quake-proof buildings in New Zealand, Japan, 'California, or elsewhere, to make proposals for the development of standardised steel frame or other buildings, at a, cost with in the reach of private enterprise in Quetta and elsewhere on sites least liable to disturbance?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for INDIA, (Mr. Butler)The suggestions made by my hon. Friend will be communicated to the Government of India.
§ Mr. CHORLTONMay I ask for a little more information than that? Is any action going to be taken from this side to get together people who might help in the designing of special buildings to resist earthquakes?
§ Mr. BUTLERIn view of the destruction in India that has arisen out of the terrible earthquake, I think the hon. 2051 Gentleman may rest assured that every step will be taken to restore the devastation that has been created.