§ Sir J. D. REESasked the Under-Secretary for India when His Majesty's Government and the Government of India expect to arrive at a decision upon the question of the disposal of the stocks of Indian opium accumulated at Chinese ports, and held up there by the provincial authorities contrary to the terms of the treaty on the faith of adherence to which on the part of the British and British-Indian Governments the exporters acted; and whether the Secretary of State will inform himself regarding the burning of villages and wholesale and individual shootings of peasants alleged, without contradiction, to be taking place in the province of Yunnan, in presumed pursuance of the policy lately agreed upon between His Majesty's Government and the present administration in China?
§ Sir E. GREYThe present position as regards the opium stocks is that they are being absorbed gradually by the Chinese market in accordance with the Agreement; and I cannot say whether, or when, any acceptable alternative proposals will be made by the Chinese Government. In regard to the second part of the question the alleged incidents have no connection with the importation of Indian opium, and I propose to take no action in the matter.