Sir HERBERT ROBERTSasked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether the opinion of local governments is now being invited on the suggestion that collectors should lease premises for a term of years for the sale of intoxicating liquors; and whether, in view of the further implication of the Government in the management of the liquor traffic which such a change would involve, the Secretary of State will withhold his sanction of the proposal until full inquiry has been 2754W made and opportunity has been given for the expression of non-official opinion upon the subject?
§ Mr. MONTAGUThe Secretary of State has no official information on the subject to which the question refers. The matter is one which is within the discretion of the Government of India. He sees no reason to doubt that full inquiry will be made and non-official opinion considered before a decision is arrived at, and a copy of the hon. Member's question will be sent to India. It may be remarked that the expression of non-official opinion in India has been greatly facilitated by the recent changes in the constitution of the Imperial and Provincial Legislative Councils.