§ Mr. Harveyasked the Secretary of State for India whether he is now able to give fuller particulars as to the measures which have been taken to provide compensation or restitution in respect of the large number of boats in Eastern Bengal which it was necessary to remove as a measure of military precaution at an early stage of the war.
§ Mr. AmeryIn my reply to the hon. Member on 26th October I referred to the removal of 26,000 boats from the denial area. Of this number 836 were returned to previous owners, 149 were given to indigent fishermen and potters gratis, 223 were sold to fishermen and potters on the instalment system, 4,776 were sold in public auction, 3,427 were made over to the military or other authorities, including the Civil Supplies Department of the Government of Bengal, and 9,435 were dismantled and sold as timber. Reports are still awaited in respect of the balance of 7,154 boats, but of this number it is understood that a large proportion will be found not in a fit state for salvage. Besides the 26,000 boats removed from the area, a further 40,000 were registered in compliance with the Registration Order of March, 1942. Of these some were destroyed, some were removed by their owners and some were requisitioned for military use, but detailed figures are not available.
Compensation has been paid to the owners of all boats surrendered at the Reception Areas, destroyed en route to these areas, destroyed in the Midnapore District by the orders of the District Magistrate, or requisitioned for military use. The total figure of compensation paid is Rs.84,86,491 (about £636,500).