§ Mr. HOLTasked whether the Colonies of Hong-Kong and the Straits Settlements are being required to pay to this country as a contribution for defence 20 per cent. of the revenue raised in substitution for that hitherto obtained from opium; and whether, seeing that if this is the case this country is requiring the Colonies in question to compensate it for its share of the loss caused by the restrictions on the sale of opium, he can arrange that the substituted revenue shall be free from liability to pay 20 per cent. to this country?
Mr. HARCOURTThe whole question is now engaging my attention, but I am 1718 unable to make any statement on the subject at present.