§ SIR JOHN PAKINGTONsaid, he wished to ask the right hon. Gentleman the President of the Board of Control, whether it was the intention of Her Majesty's Government, in consequence of the Report from the Commissioner appointed to inquire into the system of manufacturing salt in India, to effect any change in the present salt monopoly of the Indian Government in the Presidencies of Bengal 644 and Madras, or to lower the rates of duty on salt.
MR. VERNON SMITHsaid, that the Report alluded to by the right hon. Baronet was not yet completed. A great portion of Bengal had not yet been reported on, but when the Report was completed it would be the duty of the Indian Government to consider the whole system with a view to its revision. The Commissioner was a man of great experience and authority, and no doubt the steps taken by the Indian Government would be in conformity with his Report.