§ Mr. RAMSDENasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that there is an acute shortage of rice in the Far East; whether the Europeans in certain colonies are being asked under no circumstances to eat rice so as to permit the natives to have their ordinary food, and whether he has under these circumstances conveyed to the Minister of Food a suggestion that he should appeal to the public here to restrict their use of this commodity so that famine may be avoided in those lands where rice is practically the sole support of the natives?
§ Lieut.-Colonel AMERYYes, Sir; I am well aware of the scarcity. I understand that appeals have been made to Europeans in the Colonies to abstain from eating rice and have met with a loyal response, and I shall be glad to convey to my right lion. Friend the suggestion that an appeal should be made to the public in this country.