§ MR. BRYCE (Aberdeen, S.)asked the Under Secretary of State for India, Whether he can now inform the House whether any, and what, licences for the sale of intoxicating spirits, and any, and what, licences for the sale of opium, have been granted in Upper Burmah since the annexation of that country; what, action has been taken by Her Majesty's Government of India with respect to these licences, into which they promised, in August last, to inquire; and, when the Returns relating to licences in Upper Burmah for the sale of intoxicating liquors and of spirits, in respect of which Addresses were agreed to by the House on the 19th and 22nd August, 1887, will be presented?
§ THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE (Sir JOHN GORST) (Chatham)In accordance with the statement made by me in August last, a despatch was sent to the Government of India by the Secretary of State; but the information asked for has not yet been received. The attention of the Government of India has again been called to the matter.
§ MR. BRYCE, considering the answer of the hon. Gentleman, gave Notice that he should take an early opportunity of calling attention to the inordinate delay which occurred in obtaining information from the Government of India.