HC Deb 29 January 1891 vol 349 cc1274-5
MR. MARK STEWART (Kirkcudbrightshire)

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for India if he will have printed and laid upon the Table the Papers referred to in the following extract from the Report of the Excise Department of Lower Burma for 1886–87, para. 6, page 4:— There was some discussion during the year concerning the principles which should regulate the opium and excise administration. The opinions of selected District Officers were obtained, and towards, the close of the year 1886 Sir Charles Bernard submitted to the Government of India a comprehensive Report, with his recommendations for dealing with the several questions involved"?

SIR J. GORST

The precise Papers described in the hon. Member's question are not in the possession of the Secretary of State, and therefore cannot be laid on the Table. I shall be happy to show the hon. Member a full Report from the Government of India from the Chief Commissioner and Burma officers generally, on the subject, and the Secretary of State's orders thereon. The documents have already been laid on the Table.

MR. MARK STEWART

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for India whether the attention of the Indian Government has been called to the following passage contained in the Report of the Excise Department in Burma for 1889–90, para. 6, page 7 (being an extract from the Report of the Commissioner of Irrawaddy), and whether any action has been taken with a view of repressing the illegal practices therein referred to:— Opium legally bought from the Government is illegally sold at a high profit, sent from one district to another, and into the interior, to be retailed in towns and villages by men well known to opium-smokers, and who are, or ought to be, known to the local authorities"?

SIR J. GORST

The Secretary of State has seen the passage in question. The Burma Authorities are striving to repress illegal traffic in opium. Preventive establishments have recently been strengthened, and the Chief Commissioner has inquired if further establishments are needed. The law on the matter is clear and stringent. It is being, and will be, enforced as far as possible. The hon. Member has omitted the following words from the passage quoted:—"Illicit importation of opium is far less common than it was some years ago."