§ Mr. Gammansasked the Under-Secretary of State for India if he is satisfied with the general food position in Bengal, in view of the partial failure of the harvest; and what steps are being taken to introduce a proper system of rationing and price fixing.
§ Mr. A. HendersonIn reply to the first part of the Question, I would refer the hon. Member to the statement which I circulated in reply to Questions Nos. 155 and 157 last Monday. In regard to the last part of the question, rationing of the population of over 4,000,000 in Greater Calcutta has been functioning smoothly and efficiently for some time past and rationing has recently been extended to one or two other large towns in Bengal. Its extension to further areas is under consideration. A system of price control by the fixation of maximum prices has been in force throughout the province since August 1943.