§ MR. A. PEASEasked the Secretary of State for India, Whether Her Majesty's Government have information 1712 confirming the statement of the "London and China Telegraph" of the 8th instant, that the Chinese Government have decided to increase the tax on foreign opium, and to levy a tax on native opium; and, whether Her Majesty's Government consider that the Chinese Government is free to levy what duties it pleases upon opium, imported and native?
§ SIR CHARLES W. DILKESir, Her Majesty's Government have received information that an increase of inland tax on opium is under the consideration of the Chinese Government; but not that such increase has been decided upon. They have no information as to a tax on Native opium. The Chinese Government are free to levy what duties they please on Native opium. Foreign opium, after it has left the importer's hands and is carried inland by the Chinese purchaser, is liable to such a taxation as the Chinese Government may think fit to impose upon it.