§ 8. Sir J. D. REESasked whether the sale of opium in 1913, for consumption in countries other than China, has been reduced from 13,200 to 9,000 chests; whether normal sales for consumption in China will be resumed at Calcutta after 1st April; and whether the reduction effected in the sale to countries other than China will result in an insufficient quantity being procurable for medicinal and innocuous purposes?
Mr. BAKERThe reply to the first question is in the affirmative. "With regard to the second question, sales of opium for China at Calcutta will be suspended until further notice after 1st April next. With regard to the third question, any deficiency in this year's supply of uncertificated opium can readily be made good by the diversion of a small portion of the stocks of certificated opium lying in the treaty ports of China to other countries.