Mr. ALFRED T. DAVIESasked the Secretary of State for India whether business in the Indian rice market has been suspended by local merchants; whether the Home Government has received strong representations from rice merchants and traders regarding the situation; whether he is aware that all rice on the Indian market has been cornered by one or two operators, and that this artificial manipulation of prices tends to raise the price of this essential food; and does the Government propose to take any steps against such operators by legislation or otherwise?
§ Mr. MONTAGUI have seen a statement regarding the Rangoon market to the effect stated by my hon. Friend. As regards the rest of his question, I would refer him to the reply I gave yesterday to the hon. and gallant Member for New-castle-under-Lyme (Colonel Wedgwood), of which I will send him a copy.