§ 14. Mr. Sorensenasked the Secretary of State for India if he is aware of a severe shortage of cloth in Bengal; what action is being taken to meet the need; what contracts for cloth have been given by die Government; and whether tenders were asked for these.
§ The Secretary of State for India (Mr. Amery)War conditions have led to a reduction throughout India of the supply of cotton cloth available for civil consumption. Supplies allocated to Bengal as to other provinces are on the basis of a proportion of previous consumption, but there are local difficulties of distribution, and complaints have been made recently of severe shortage in some parts of the province. Ministers of the Bengal Government are answerable for distribution within the province and detailed information is not available here as to the remedial measures they contemplate.
§ Mr. SorensenWill the right hon. Gentleman reply more fully to the latter part of my Question—whether tenders were asked for contracts given by the Government?
§ Mr. AmeryThe matter is entirely one for the Bengal Government; and I do not know whether, they have asked for tenders, or mean to ask for them.