§ MR. CAINEI beg to ask the Secretary of State for India, if his attention has been called to the memorandum submitted to the Chief Commissioner of Assam by the Hon. James Buckingham, C.I.E., lately a member of the Vice-Regal Council of India, on the crime and disorder produced among coolies in the 226 Assam tea gardens by the excessive number of liquor shops established by the Government throughout the tea area of that State; and if he has observed the statement of the Chief Commissioner in Clause 3 of his resolution on the Excise Report of 1901–2, to the effect that, although the policy of the administration in regard to the sale of liquor has been repeatedly inquired into during the past twenty years, a fresh investigation will now be opened; will he state what is the nature of this promised investigation, is it now in progress, and will he lay upon the Table of the House a copy of Mr. Buckingham's memorandum, the correspondence which has taken place between the Chief Commissioner of Assam and the Deputy Commissioner of Labour Districts in Assam, particulars of the inquiries into the administration in regard to the sale of liquor referred to in the Chief Commissioner's resolution, and a statement of the nature of the promised fresh investigation?
§ * LORD GEORGE HAMILTONI understand that the memorandum in question has engaged the attention of the local administration which has undertaken to make a fresh inquiry into the excise arrangement of the Province. I am in communication with the Viceroy on the subject, and when I receive the information I have asked for, I will consider what papers can be presented.
§ MR. SCHWANN (Manchester, N.)Will the Question be considered whether the Government ought to be interested in the drink traffic in India?
§ (No answer was returned.)