This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]
CHINA
CHINA TRADE.
CONFIDENTIAL.
[40475]
No. 1.
[November 29.]
SECTION 1,
Question asked in the House of Commons, November 29, 1906,
Sir Henry Cotton,-To ask the Secretary of State for India, whether the number of chests of Bengal opium sold for export during the year 1895-6 was 37,695; whether the average number during the ten years ending 1904-5 was 43,417; whether the number for 1905-6 was 49,200; and whether the Budget Estimate for the current year 1906-7 provides for the export of 52,000 chests; and whether, having regard to the resolution of the House on the subject, and to the present attitude of China in respect to the traffic and use of opium, he will take measures which shall lead to the immediate reduction of this progressive increase in the export of Bengal opium, principally to China.
Answer,
Owing to recent good seasons the supply of Bengal opium has been exceptionally large, and with a view to reducing the reserve the sales have temporarily exceeded the standard of 48,000 chests fixed in 1901. licensed for poppy cultivation should be diminished, and that the sales should be I have given instructions that the area reduced at least to the standard of 1901. In 1895-6 and in preceding and succeeding years the sale standard was 54,000 chests, though the number of chests sold in any year depended on the yield of the crop. China, His Majesty's Government have stated that they will consider sympathetically As regards the import of foreign opium into any proposals which the Chinese Government may wish to make.
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