§ MR. O'DONNELLasked the Under Secretary of State for India, If his attention has been called to the appearance of official advertisements in the Madras papers offering for public auction the right of making and vending intoxicating drink in the districts of Tanjore, Tinnavelly, and North Arcot; whether it is true that the population of these districts, though, exceeding six millions in number, have no control over the establishment of the system of Drink 294 Licence Auctions in their midst; whether the system of Drink Licence Auctions has been only recently introduced; when was the system approved by the Madras authorities; and, whether the consent of the Home Government was given to the measure?
§ MR. J. K. CROSS, in reply, said, he was unable to give much information upon the subject. No change in the Madras Excise system had been reported, nor had any allusion been made to it since the last Report. The details asked for were not in possession of the India Office, but would be included in a Report called for from the Governor of Madras.