HC Deb 21 October 1943 vol 392 cc1488-90
18. Sir John Wardlaw-Milne

asked the Secretary of State for India to what extent the growers of grain in Bengal have caused a shortage by hoarding; and whether he has any information as to the proportion of the cultivators who are in debt and in the hands of those to whom they owe money?

Mr. Amery

Most of the grain is produced by peasant cultivators. Hoarding by the cultivator is not a matter which can be reduced to statistics, but there is no doubt that it is one of the many causes of the trouble in Bengal. Information on the second part of the Question is not available in this country.

Sir J. Wardlaw-Milne

Is it true that the cultivator is not the real hoarder? In view of the fact that the cultivator in Bengal, and indeed all over India, is in debt to moneylenders almost before the grain is grown, it is largely a matter of hoarding by those who hold liens over the crops, and not by the cultivators themselves. Is there not a danger of giving the impression that the poor cultivator is himself responsible?

Mr. Amery

If my hon. Friend will read my answer, he will realise that I made it clear that the retention of grain by the cultivator was only one of the causes of the shortage.

Mr. Pethick-Lawrence

Is it not really inflation which has led to hoarding, by making it profitable to hold back supplies? Is not inflation a matter which His Majesty's Government ought to be careful to avoid?

Mr. Amery

Yes, Sir, inflation has certainly been a contributory cause.

Sir Frank Sanderson

Is not my right hon. Friend aware that the present crisis in India is due rather to distribution than to shortage, and that mal-distribution is primarily caused by the fact that tens of thousands of growers of foodstuffs in India are in the hands of moneylenders? Would it not be better to provide for moneys to be loaned to the food growers, with a view to their stocks being delivered to the Government?

Mr. Amery

Yes, Sir. I also made a statement on the subject the other day.

Mr. Douglas

Is it not the case that in many instances the hoarding is done by the cultivators' landlords.

Mr. Amery

Yes, Sir, in many cases that is true.

Mr. Lipson

Is it the Government of India or the Provincial Governments which have the power to deal with this matter?

Mr. Amery

It is a matter primarily for the Provincial Governments, but the Central Government are taking whatever steps are required to deal with it.

20. Sir J. Wardlaw-Milne

asked the Secretary of State for India to what extent the Bengal Government's notifications against hoarding grain have been brought into force, and to what extent has action been taken under them?

Mr. Amery

The Food Grains Control Order, which provides effective penalties for profiteering and hoarding, is operative throughout India, including Bengal. Its firm application has always been urged upon the Bengal Government, and I understand that more vigorous action is being taken in this matter. The Government of India have within the last few days declared to the Provincial representatives assembled at the Delhi Food Conference their determination to insist on full efficiency in the procurement of necessary food grains and to invoke and use whatever powers are essential to secure success. I have no figures of amounts requisitioned in Bengal or of the number of prosecutions for hoarding.

Sir J. Wardlaw-Milne

Will my right hon. Friend seriously consider, as soon as this crisis is over, asking the Government of India to set up a commission to discover the causes of this famine and place the blame on the right shoulders?

Mr. Amery

I will consider submitting the point to the Government of India, but my own view is to remedy the evil rather than to try to distribute blame on a great many backs.

Sir J. Wardlaw-Milne

Has my right hon. Friend noted that I said, "as soon as this crisis is over"? The inquiry will be wanted for the purpose of avoiding such a crisis again.

Sir A. Knox

Will the right hon. Gentleman inquire how many big hoarders of grain have been prosecuted by the Bengal Government?

Mr. Amery

Big hoarders and small hoarders.

Mr. Godfrey Nicholson

Has the attention of my right hon. Friend been called to a statement that the Bengal Government obtained grain for the Punjab at 10 rupees per maund free on rail, and resold it to the mills in Bengal at 15½ rupees per maund? Has he any comment to make on the subject, and who took the profit?

Mr. Amery

I understand, that the Bengal Government did resell at a higher price, but the profits they made were devoted to subsidising food for the relief of the poor.