§ MR. S. SMITHI beg to ask the Secretary of State for India whether his attention has been drawn to the large increase in the amount of Excise Revenue in the Punjab during the last seven years, amounting to nearly 50 per cent. on the Revenue of 1888; and whether the Indian Government is taking any steps to prevent the corresponding amount of drunkenness which may be expected to follow this increased consumption of alcohol?
THE UNDER SECRETARY FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. GEOEGE RUSSELL,), North Bedsanswering in the absence of Mr. H. H. FOWLER: It is true that the Excise Revenue in the Punjab has largely increased. The Government of India, by enhancing taxation and by repressing illicit distillation, is doing what it can to discourage excessive consumption, and this policy will be pursued in the future as circumstances may permit.