§ SIR J. GORST (Cambridge University)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for India whether several persons have already been invited by Her Majesty's Government, and have accepted the invitation, to become Members of the Indian Opium Commission; what is the estimated cost of the Commission; whether the Indian Council have yet consented to the cost being defrayed out of the Revenues of India; and whether the assent of the Indian Council to the proposed expenditure has been taken for granted, or whether, in the event of their refusal, Her Majesty's Government have any alternative source of supply in view?
*MR. G. RUSSELLNo appointments have yet been made to the Royal Commission on Opium; but the Secretary of State has taken steps to ascertain whether certain gentlemen would be willing to serve on it if appointed. The arrangements are not yet sufficiently ad- 117 vanced to allow of any estimate being formed as to the cost; but it will, no doubt, be large. The Council of India have not consented to this charge being defrayed from Indian Revenues, nor has any proposal on the subject been placed before them. In no case can their assent be taken for granted; but as yet Her Majesty's Government have come to no decision as to the source from which this expenditure should be met.
§ SIR J. GORSTI understood the Government stated the other day, in answer to a question, that they had come to the conclusion that the expense should be defrayed out of the Revenues of India. Now, the hon. Gentleman says this matter is still under consideration. What is the position of affairs?
MR. G RUSSELLI have not had an opportunity of speaking to the Secretary of State on the subject; but I believe my right hon. Friend will find that I am correct in saying that no final decision has been arrived at, and that the matter is still the subject of correspondence between the Secretary of State and the Government of India.