§ SIR G. CHESNEY (Oxford)I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether it is contemplated to charge the cost of the Opium Commission, about to be appointed, to the Imperial or to the Indian Revenues?
§ MR. W. E. GLADSTONEWithout prejudice to any ulterior question which may arise out of the results of the inquiry, the view of Her Majesty's Government is that the cost of this inquiry should, in conformity with what we think to be usage and propriety, be charged on the Indian Revenues.
§ SIR G. CHESNEYIn consequence of the answer of the Prime Minister, I shall take the earliest opportunity of calling attention to the matter, and to this improper application of the Indian Revenues.
§ SIR J. GORST (Cambridge University)May I ask whether it is not the fact that such a charge cannot be made on the Indian Revenues without the consent of the Indian Council; and has the consent of the Council to such an application of the Revenues yet been obtained?
§ MR. W. E. GLADSTONEI must ask for notice of the question.
§ SIR J. GORSTI will put it on Monday.