§ Mr. REESasked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether one ascertained result of the diminution of export of opium to China has been the cheapening and consequently the stimulating of the consumption of the drug in North-Western, 879 Southern, and Western India; whether proof of this result is afforded by official Reports from Madras, Bombay, and the Punjab; and, if the answer is in the affirmative, whether China will continue to be the objective of the Government policy without regard to the effect as regards consumption of opium in India and loss to the revenues of the Indian Empire?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSEIn 1907–8 there was some increase in the consumption of opium in Madras, Bombay, and the Punjab, and this was reported to be partly due to dealers being able to obtain Malwa opium at a cheaper rate. A corrective can, and doubtless will, be applied by the local Governments under their licensing regulations. The Bombay Government has already taken action, and in the Punjab the use of Malwa opium has been discontinued. The question does not arise in provinces which are supplied by Bengal opium, over the price of which the Government has complete control. The answer to the last question is in the negative.