§ MR. SAMUEL SMITH (Flintshire)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for India whether the attention of the Government has been called to the declaration of opinion by 5,000 medical men in the United Kingdom to the effect that the habit of opium smoking or of opium eating is morally and physically debasing, and that the drug opium ought, in India as in England, to be classed and sold as a poison, and be purchasable from chemists only; and whether they will call the attention of the Government of India to this important declaration?
THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR INDIA (Mr. CURZON,) Lancashire, SouthportThe Secretary of State has seen statements that such a declaration is being circulated. The attention of the Government of India will be drawn to the matter by the hon. Member's questions, which will be forwarded to India in the ordinary course.