§ Mr. THOMAS-STANFORDasked the Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that quantities of rice are being held up by the merchants at Darjeeling in order to force up prices, and that a considerable portion of the rice so hoarded is going bad; whether there is any reason to believe that this proceeding is part of an organised plan to embarrass the Government and secure the repeal of the Excess Profits Tax; and whether, in the interest of the native consumer and for the maintenance of order, the Government will take steps to put an end to this profiteering in an article of prime necessity?
§ Mr. MONTAGUI have no information, but will communicate the substance of my hon. Friend's question to the Government of India.