§ Mr. THEODORE TAYLORasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any official information showing that the Chinese Government have purchased the remainder of the opium in the hands of importers in Shanghai, and intend to resume the opium traffic in China and make it a Government monopoly for the purpose of raising revenue?
§ Lord R. CECILI may refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to the hon. Member for Derby on 20th June. His Majesty's Government have received official information to the effect that an agreement has been concluded between the Chinese Government and the Combine of Opium Importers for the purchase of the remaining stocks of Indian opium in bond at Shanghai and Canton, but they have no official information in regard to the manner in which the Chinese Government intend to dispose of this opium.