§ MR. H. J. WILSON (Yorkshire, W.R., Holmfirth)To ask the Secretary of State for India whether he is in a position to give the House any further information as to communications between His Majesty's Government and the Chinese Government in reference to opium.
§ (Answered by Secretary Sir Edward Grey.) His Majesty's Minister at Peking has informed the Chinese Government that His Majesty's Government appreciate 1691 the probable benefits to the Chinese from the effective control of the production of opium and from a diminished consumption of the drug, and that they are prepared to consider in a sympathetic spirit any specific proposals which the Chinese Government may wish to make with regard to the importation and taxation of opium. Proposals have since been received from the Chinese Government, which are under consideration.