MR. HERBERT ROBERTS (Denbighshire, W.)To ask the Secretary of State for India whether his attention has been called to the statement made in the Administration Report of the Bombay Abkari Department for 1901–2, to the effect that the number of shops licensed for the sale, of intoxicating drugs in the Presidency of Bombay was considerably reduced during the year under review; and whether, seeing that there has been during the same period an increase of eight such shops in the city of Bombay, he will state the reasons for the provision of such increased facilities in Bombay.
(Answered by Secretary Lord George Hamilton.) I am aware of the statement referred to. I presume that the reason of the increase in the number of shops in Bombay city is that they were actually required in order to prevent illicit consumption. The policy of the Bombay Government in this matter is stated in paragraph 53 of the Report.