§ 16. Sir A. Knoxasked the Secretary of State for India what steps, and in what Provinces and States, have been taken in India to control the price of rice; and whether the question of rationing has been considered?
§ Mr. AmeryI have no record of the Provinces and States, besides Bengal, which have sought to impose price control on rice. As far as I am aware, no such control has been effectively maintained in the absence of physical control of stocks. The present plans of the Government of India, based on earlier experiences in Bengal and elsewhere, are directed to the securing of physical control of stocks and to measures against hoarding, which is the policy accepted on the recommendation of the recent food conference. Rationing is in operation in Bombay City and one or two other towns and urban rationing is to be extended.
§ Sir A. KnoxIn view of the fact that the price of rice is now nine times what it was in pre-war times, surely rationing ought to be introduced all over the country?
§ Mr. AmeryThat figure referred only to Calcutta. I think that the price of rice, though it is high, is by no means as high as is suggested by my hon. and gallant Friend's Question.
§ Sir A. KnoxWhy not ration it in Calcutta?
§ Mr. SorensenIs it not true that in some parts the price of rice is very much more than nine times the pre-war price?