Mr. G. Whiteasked the Secretary of State for India if he can make a statement on the present position and prospects of food supplies in India.
§ Mr. Sorensenasked the Secretary of State for India whether he will give his latest information regarding the possibility of food shortage in India; whether he is satisfied that adequate arrangements now exist to meet this contingency and that the control of the price of grain is working satisfactorily; and what is now the controlled price of rice in Bengal.
§ Mr. AmeryThe autumn months before the main rice harvest are the most anxious time in India and forecasts are dangerous things, but provided no unforeseeable calamity occurs in the next few weeks, and that, as I hope, we are able to continue the shipment of imports to India at the previous rate, I think we shall win through this year. The rains up to date have been patchy, but on the whole not bad. As regards next year, so much depends on the winter rice harvest that I prefer not to hazard a forecast.
As regards the latter part of the Question by the hon. Member for Leyton West (Mr. Sorensen), the machinery of the Central and Provincial Governments is greatly developed from 18 months ago when the Central Food Department began its existence and is producing beneficial results. Rationing, in particular, has made great strides. All-India maximum prices have been established and are proving effective in the primary wholesale markets for wheat, barley, gram and millet. It has not yet been possible to fix a statutory all-India maximum for rice and in Bengal the price varies according to area. In the main markets of the producing areas in Bengal the price in the week ending 7th September was Rs.14.8.5 per maund.