MR. HERBERT ROBERTS (Denbighshire, W.)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India whether the Government of Madras have decided to prohibit the sale of liquor, opium, or other intoxicating drugs to persons under fourteen years of age; whether he is aware that a similar prohibition prevails in Bombay; and whether it is intended to adopt the same regulation in all the other provinces of India.
§ MR. JOHN MORLEYI am sorry to say that I have no information as to any decision of the Madras Government, nor whether it is intended to adopt a similar regulation in other provinces. The Excise Committee recently appointed by the Government of India has been instructed to report on the question of prohibiting the sale of liquor to children. I think it advisable to await their report.