§ 78. Mr. D. GRENFELLasked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he will give information as to the estimated acreage under opium poppy in British India during the present year and in 1925–26; and what part of this total acreage refers to areas in the Punjab and outside the United Provinces?
§ Earl WINTERTONI have no figure later than 114,198 acres for 1924–25, all in the United Provinces; in addition there was a small area of 1,653 acres in the Punjab Hills.
§ Mr. KIRKWOODWhere is that opium exported to?
§ Earl WINTERTONPerhaps the hon. Member will put down a question on that. I have on several occasions explained 1464 what the opium policy of the Government of India is, and it has resulted in very great restriction of the area of cultivation. Very careful steps have been taken to prevent misuse of the opium.