MR. HERBERT ROBERTS (Denbighshire. W.)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that the revenue from opium consumed in-British India increased by £235,217, or 35 per cent., during the ten years ending 1905–6, and that there has been a further increase since that year of £120,048; whether he can state what proportion of these increases is attributable to higher duties and success in combating contraband trade; what was the amount of licit opium issued for sale and consumption in India in 1895–6 and 1905–6, respectively; and what is the estimated amount for the current year.
§ MR. MORLEYAs regards the effect of higher duties I find that though there was an increase of 35 per cent. in revenue as mentioned by my hon. friend, the amount actually issued for sale and consumption increased by less than 12 per cent. In 1895–6 the quantity was 7,458 chests, and in 1905–6, 8,328 chests. These figures include Malwa opium as well as Bengal opium. I am unable to estimate the consumption of the present year. The proportion of the increased revenue due to suppression of the contraband trade cannot be statistically stated. But it is a material point that in Burma, which contributed four-fifths of the true increase of revenue during the period, and where alone licit consumption has largely increased, the existence of widespread smuggling was most notorious.