§ 30. Sir Stanley Reedasked the Secretary of State for India whether he has any statement to make on the food situation 278 in India and the measures taken to meet it?
§ 31. Mr. Ammonasked the Secretary of State for India whether he can make a statement as to conditions in India caused by floods; and to what extent do famine conditions obtain?
§ 33. Mr. Thorneasked the Secretary of State for India what is being done to relieve the distress in India because of the shortage of rain; whether he is aware that rice which used to be 1d. per pound is now being sold in Bombay at 1s. per pound; and whether he is aware that this means near starvation?
§ Mr. AmeryThe food situation in India is causing considerable anxiety. Last year's food crops were, in general, satisfactory, but the loss of the Burma rice crop, of which about one and a half million tons normally goes to India, coupled with increased demands for the Army, a serious failure of the millet crop in certain parts of the country, caused prices to rise and food to become in many parts of the country not only dear but scarce. A flood in Sind, and cyclones in Orissa and Bengal accompanied by flooding have been contributory factors but have not in themselves caused more than temporary and local shortages.
At first the problem was mainly one of distribution, but it must now be accepted that there is a shortage, though that shortage affects only urban areas and a few rural areas where crops have failed. With care and proper distribution there should be enough to go round, and there is no cause for alarm, but the distribution problem is undoubtedly difficult. The Government of India's first measure to meet this vital problem was to centralise in a Food Department a number of administrative functions hitherto spread over various Departments of Government. They have also arranged for purchases of wheat by Government agents from producing areas for the deficiency areas, and similar arrangements are being made for the purchase of other food grains, but the results so far have been disappointing, owing to hoarding and profiteering, which are particularly difficult to deal with. The possibility of individual rationing in urban areas is being seriously examined, and preparatory measures are already being put in train in some of the larger cities. But the administrative difficulties in a 279 country such as India are obviously great. The question of shipping wheat for India from overseas to tide over the difficult period before the new wheat crop comes on to the market in April is being urgently considered by His Majesty's Government, and I trust that it will be possible to make an announcement on the subject in the near future.
§ Sir S. ReedWill my right hon. Friend stress the fact that the paramount importance in these unique conditions in India is the control of prices, which are rocketing to unheard-of heights; and will he press with the utmost influence he has for the release of transport to bring to India the supplementary food supplies that are imperative?
§ Mr. AmeryThe answer to the first part of the Question is that the matter is being very earnestly kept in view by the Government of India, and to the second part that that particular matter has naturally also occupied the attention of His Majesty's Government.
§ Mr. ThorneThe Minister is really sympathetic, but he does not mention what he intends doing to prevent the rapid rise in the price of rice.
§ Mr. AmeryIf the hon. Member will read my answer, which was unavoidably long, I think he will see that that point is covered.
§ Mr. SorensenDoes the right hon. Gentleman realise that he merely refers to the fact that the Government of India are reviewing or have reviewed the situation? There is no indication in the reply of what particular steps are being taken to control prices and prevent profiteering.
§ Captain Godfrey NicholsonCan my right hon. Friend hold out any hope that the Government of India will be able to secure the release of accumulated stocks in Provinces where there is an accumulated surplus?