§ Sir HILDRED CARLILEasked the Under-Secretary of State for India, whether tantalum has been discovered in Bengal; and, if so, what facilities will be offered by the Government of India for its working?
§ Mr. MONTAGUThe Secretary of State understands that columbite and tantalite have been found in several localities in Bengal, but he has no recent information as to whether these minerals exist in payable quantities there, or as to what action to exploit them is being taken. If the minerals are the property of the State, as is the case in the greater part of India, facilities for working them1882W are obtainable under the ordinary rules for the grant of mining concessions.