§ Mr. LANSBURYasked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether his attention has been drawn to the rise of the liquor revenue in Bihar from 1¼ crores in 1922–23 to 2 crores at present; and whether the Government of India is prepared to take any steps to curtail this increase in the consumption of strong drink?
§ Earl WINTERTONI cannot reconcile the figures quoted by the hon. Member with those given in the Provincial Excise Reports. In any case an increase of revenue does not necessarily imply an increase in consumption. For example, although the revenue derived from country spirits was about 18¼ lakhs more in 1924– 1925 than in 1922–1923, the consumption was about 120,000 gallons less. As regards the second part of the question, I would remind the hon. Member that excise is a transferred provincial subject for which the Governor acting with his Ministers is responsible to his Legislative Council.