§ 1. Sir J. D. REESasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether His Majesty's Government have any means of enforcing the arrangement or agreement with China for the abolition of the trade in Indian opium; and will be explain what is the constitution and what are the functions of the Opium Combine?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Mr. Balfour)The trade in Indian opium with China ceased with the expiration, on the 31st December last, of the agreement relating to opium concluded between the United Kingdom and China on the 8th May, 1911. His Majesty's Government would, of course, take all possible means to prevent the resumption of the opium trade between. British India and China should any attempt be made to revive it.
471 I have no precise information as to the firms and individuals constituting the opium combine, but I understand that it is a private and unofficial syndicate or association of merchant importers of opium at Shanghai. So far as I am aware, the functions of the combine are to regulate the price of the stocks of Indian opium in bond and generally to protect the interests of the members of the association.
§ Sir J. D. REESIs it not the case that what has happened points to the general weakness of the policy pursued in regard to it? Is it likely that it can be carried out?
§ Mr. BALFOURI understand—although it is a subject with which I have no great intimacy—that there is every hope that the trade between India and China is finally severed.