§ 1. Mr. THEODORE TAYLORasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs which of the provinces, of China, after thorough examination by representatives of Great Britain, have been found free from the production of opium, and accordingly declared free from compulsion to permit the purchase of Indian opium in accordance with the Anglo-Chinese Agreement of 1911, together with the dates when such freedom came into operation?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Sir E. Grey)Manchuria, Shansi, and Szechuan were closed to the import of Indian opium on 11th September, 1911; Chihli and Kuangsi on 1st March, 1913; Anhui, Hunan and Shantung on 15th June, 1913; Fukien on 1st May, 1914; Hupeh on 1st June, 1914; and Chekiang and Honan on 16th June, 1914.
§ Mr. T. C. TAYLORDoes the right hon. Gentleman happen to know whether there has been an examination made at Shantung?
§ Sir E. GREYI must ask for notice of that question.
§ 2. Mr. T. C. TAYLORasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that the central and provincial governments of China are steadily pursuing their policy of drastic suppression of the production and consumption of opium; whether in several provinces the Chinese Government is still under compulsion to permit its subjects to purchase opium; and whether, under the circumstances, the time has arrived when we should grant full freedom to China to prohibit once for all the importation of this drug?
§ Sir E. GREYI understand from reports that have reached me that strong measures are being taken in most provinces to check the production and illicit consumption of opium in China. There remain, however, seven provinces in respect of which evidence of the cessation of production has not yet been forthcoming, and which have consequently not yet been included amongst the provinces into which the importation of Indian opium is prohibited, though no opium is imported into four of them. I cannot add more than what I said in the House last night.