§ MR. BRIGHTwished to ask a question respecting India, but was sorry to find that, in addition to the other difficulties surrounding the question, they had to deal with a President of the Board of Control who did not appear on the front benches until the time for asking questions had passed. [Sir Charles Wood at this moment entered the House.] He would now put his question to the right hon. Gentleman. What he wanted to know was, whether the Government had received any information touching the changes which it was said the Chinese Government was about to make, or had already made, with regard to imposing a duty upon the importation of opium into China, and to legalising its growth in that country? If the Government had received any information on a matter which was so closely connected with the finances of India, he wished to know whether they would lay the papers before the House?
§ SIR CHARLES WOODcould assure the hon. Gentleman that he had come straight to the House from the Cabinet. He was not aware that any official information had been received of the nature alluded to by the hon. Gentleman. He had heard a rumour that the Chinese were disposed to grow opium, but not officially. He would make an inquiry upon the subject, and let the hon. Gentleman know the result.