MR. HERBERT ROBERTS (Denbighshire, W.)To ask the Secretary of State for India, whether he is aware that by notification, dated the 4th September, 1906, the number of licences for the sale of country and English spirits in Amritsar to be auctioned for 1907–8 was fixed at six, and that fourteen licences have again been sanctioned; whether he is aware that this is a contravention of the Excise Commissioner's Circular Letter, No. 608, of May 19th, 1906; and whether, having regard to the public protests which the confirmation of these licences has evoked, inquiries will be made with a view to the reduction originally contemplated being carried out.
(Answered by Mr. Secretary Morley.) I have no information regarding the circumstances to which my attention is called, but I will request the Government of India to make inquiries into the matter and to instruct the local government to take any acton that may be necessary to bring the licensing arrangements at Amritsar into conformity with the circular of the Excise Commissioner.