§ MR. GULLAND (Dumfries Burghs)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether His Majesty's 1422 Government have been requested by the United States Government to join in submitting to other Governments a proposal to prohibit by treaty the sale of intoxicants and opium among uncivilised races; and, if so, whether His Majesty's Government will join in such a proposal.
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (SIR EDWARD GREY,) Northumberland, BerwickI can make no statement about the intentions of the United States Government in the matter; it is for them, and not for Us, to do so. The attitude of His Majesty's Government towards the whole question has been defined by the Secretary of State for India in a speech in this House during the present session. I need only repeat that His Majesty's Government will regard with sympathy any proposal which will result in diminishing effectively the consumption of opium.
§ MR. SLOAN (Belfast, S.)asked if the right hon. Gentleman was aware that a mission was being carried on in this country on this subject, and if he had received Resolutions from any meetings held in connection with it.
§ SIR EDWARD GREYI will inquire, but it would not be an official communication if it came from a private individual.