§ Major POLEasked the Secretary of State for India whether he can give figures showing a comparison of cotton imports to India in 1929, 1930, and 1931?
§ Mr. BENNThe following are the figures:
plaints as to the character of the news regarding Indian events supplied by the Associated Press and Reuters to the Press and public of India; and, particu- 2091W larly, whether Hindu views have received publicity and prominence to the exclusion or detriment of that put forward by the Moslem communities;
(2) if the Associated Press News Agency is subsidised by the Government of India either directly or by means of a general subscription for the service of news supplied to Government officials; and, if the latter, what amount per annum is paid to the agency by the Government?
§ Mr. BENNI understand that the Government of India have for some years subscribed to the Associated Press or affiliated organisations for the supply of news telegrams to various Departments and officials, and also pay Reuter's Agency, which of course is connected with the Associated Press of India, the annual sum of Rs.9,000 for transmitting overseas news of Government importance outside the scope of their ordinary service. Apart from these payments for services rendered there is no subsidy. I have no information of any complaint being made to Government of bias in the news given by the Associated Press; but I have of course seen Press reports of action by members of the Moslem community to establish its own Press agency.