§ SIR MARK STEWART (Kirkcudbright)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India whether on the occasion of the annual subsidy paid by the Assam Government to the Bhutias on 26th February last, in addition to the payment of 5,000 rupees in silver and 30 yards of broadcloth, four dozen bottles of rum were also paid; and if liquor forms part of the annual subsidy; and, if so, will he call the attention of the Indian Government to the undesirability of allowing a subsidy to be paid in liquor?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR INDIAI am aware that the claims of the Sat Rajas of the Kuriapara Duar to levy duties on the inhabitants of the plains were bought out for an annual payment of 5,000 rupees. I have no reason to believe that any part of this subsidy is paid in liquor.