§ 81. Mr. Dribergasked the Secretary of State for War if he has considered the evidence submitted to him on 31st January concerning grave irregularities in the administration of C.A.S.(B.) in the cotton-growing area of Upper Burma; if he will circulate in Hansard a full report on these matters, with particular reference to the price and methods of disposal of cotton and the events leading up to the death of the officer in charge of the Upper Burma Supply Scheme; and what steps he is taking in consultation with the Secretary of State for Burma to protect the people of this part 01 Burma from commercial exploitation under the guise of official relief and from the danger of famine.
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§ Mr. LawsonI have received a lengthy report from the Supreme Allied Commander in conjunction with the Governor of Burma on the allegations made in the statement submitted by my hon. Friend and I am satisfied that these allegations are completely unfounded. I am sending my hon. Friend a summary of the report for his information. As regards the last part of the Question, I am satisfied, and the Governor of Burma has confirmed, that there is no evidence whatever of commercial exploitation under the guise of official relief. A very large part of the energies of the Government of Burma, as previously of. the C.A.S.(B.), are devoted to ensuring that the people-of Burma shall not be exploited by private interests and shall be protected against famine.