§ Mr. CECIL WILSONasked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that in the Calcutta riots there is reason to believe that the consumption of intoxicating liquor has played no inconsiderable part in fomenting the actions and bitterness of feeling between Hindus and Mohammedans; what action the Government took in the closing of the liquor shops; and to what extent there has been a drop in the revenue?
§ Earl WINTERTONThere is nothing either in the official reports on the riots or in the questions which were asked regarding them in the Bengal Legislative Council to indicate that intoxicating liquor had anything to do with the riots. There is no mention of liquor shops. Presumably their business was affected as all other business in the disturbed areas; and no doubt the owners closed them when other shops were closed. But this is not specifically stated.