DR. RUTHERFORD (Middlesex, Brentford)I beg to ask the Undersecretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that those members of the Legislative Council of Ceylon who represent nearly four millions of the inhabitants of the island are opposed to the present method of selling opium through shops licensed for that purpose, whilst the planting interest and the official members of the Council, who only represent 50,000 of the people, are in favour of the existing policy; and whether he will ask the representative of the Crown in Ceylon to take steps to suppress the sale of opium in that Colony.
§ MR. CHURCHILLThe Secretary of State is in communication with the 1589 Governor of Ceylon as to the consumption of opium in that Colony and he is not in a position to make any statement at present. The subject matter of the hon. Member's Question shall be submitted to the Governor.