§ 69. Mr. Bossomasked the Under-secretary of State for India whether, as the monsoons this year have been below the average, he can give an assurance that both he and his advisers in India are satisfied about the food situation, especially in Bengal, and have no cause for apprehension of famine.
§ Mr. A. HendersonThe food situation in India will continue to require constant watching but my Noble Friend, who is in continuous touch with the Government of India on this subject, sees no cause for apprehension of famine whether in Bengal or elsewhere in India.
§ Mr. BossomIt is not a fact that, in places where in the past this situation has prevailed, there have been complaints of no special steps being taken to avoid it, and are any special steps being taken to avoid it in future?
§ Mr. HendersonIf the hon. Member would care to put down a Question next week, I will endeavour to make a full statement on this subject.
§ Major WyattMay I ask the Minister whether, in view of the fact that a large part of the trouble in the Bengal famine was due to the appalling publicity on the part of the Government of Bengal, what steps they are taking now to make quite sure that everybody in Bengal knows what the situation is and whether there is likely to be a shortage or not?
§ Mr. HendersonI have just said that, if my hon. Friend puts down a Question next week, I will endeavour to make a full statement.