§ Mr. ASHLEYasked the Prime Minister whether the cost of making good the loss of Indian revenue caused by the extinction of the opium trade between India and China will fall upon the British or Indian taxpayer?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe extent of the loss from the progressive restriction and eventual extinction of the Indian opium trade with China, and the date of the extinction of the trade, are at present undetermined, and depend on contingencies that cannot be accurately foreseen. So far there has been no loss to the revenue owing to the higher prices due to the policy of restrictions.