§ SIR W. WEDDERBURN (Banffshire)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for India, in appointing the Indian Members of the Opium Commission, what means will be taken to secure the services of men who will truly represent Indian public opinion; and whether the Government will consult Public Bodies and Associations in India with a view to selecting Representatives 1692 who enjoy the confidence of the Indian community?
MR. G. RUSSELLIt will be a part of the duty of the Commission to ascertain the feeling of the people of India with regard to the subjects specified in the recent Resolution of the House of Commons; and this will necessarily be done by the taking of evidence, rather than by attempting to represent on the Commission the numerous races and sects into which the population of India is divided. Every effort will be made to carry out thoroughly the Resolution of the House of Commons; but the Secretary of State is not at present in a position to make any statement with regard to the composition of the Commission.