3. Sir HERBERT ROBERTSasked the Under-Secretary of State for India, whether the imports of intoxicating liquors into India have increased from the value of £1,092,551 in 1911 to £1,243,265 in 1913; whether he can give the figures for each of the last ten years; and whether any steps are being taken to check the growing importation?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for INDIA (Mr. Charles Roberts)The reply to the first question is in the affirmative. Figures showing the quantity and value of the imports of intoxicating liquors for the last ten financial years will be circulated with the Votes. Taking a triennial average for the beginning and end of this period, a decrease in the quantity of imported liquor is shown, amounting in the case of spirits to a decrease of nearly 6 per cent. During the ten-year period the rates of duty have been twice enhanced and are now higher by 50 per cent, than at the beginning. [See Written Answers this date.]
§ Sir G. SCOTT ROBERTSONIs the increase in imports officially said to be due to the greater prosperity of India?
§ Mr. C. ROBERTSThere is no increase in the quantities; it is only an increase in values, and that, I think, is accounted for by the increase in the rates of duty.