HC Deb 07 May 1891 vol 353 c263
MR. S. SMITH (Flintshire)

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for India whether his attention has been drawn to a statement made in the Bengalee, of 4th April, 1891, alleging that the Government of Bengal has directed the re-introduction of out-stills in parts of Midnapore and Bancoorah; and whether it is in consequence of a fall in the Excise Revenue arising from the substitution of distillery spirit shops in place of out-stills in those districts that this measure has been adopted?

THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR INDIA (Sir J. GORST,) Chatham

The Government has seen the statement as to the re-introduction of the out-still system in Midnapore and Bancoorah. No such measure can have been adopted for the reasons suggested by the hon. Member in the 2nd paragraph of his question.