I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India whether there is any effective supervision over the capitation tax levied on coolies from Chittagong on entering the province of Arracan; whether he is aware of the extra tax above the 1s. per head demanded from the coolies by the native official; and if steps can be taken to put an end to the system of taxing a man passing from one province to another, which restricts the supply of labour and is injurious to the province.

I have no information on the subject, but will ask the Government of India to give it their consideration and to report the facts.

Although the tax is only 1s., at least double that amount is squeezed by the official out of people crossing the border.

I will inquire.