HC Deb 01 July 1907 vol 177 cc353-4
MR. REES

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been called to a notice issuing from the Chihle Office of Native Opium Consolidated Taxation, wherein it! is stated that the growing of poppies is not to be discouraged, that if opium is suppressed a great source of revenue to the State will be removed, that poppy farmers are to continue their business as usual, in case any attempt is made to blackmail them under cover of the Imperial edict prohibiting the cultivation of the poppy; and whether he will inquire if this document was issued with the direct or indirect authority of the Chinese Government.

MR. RUNCIMAN

As regards the first part of the Question, my right hon. friend must refer the hon. Member to his Answer of the 24th ultimo to the hon. Member for North Hackney.† Inquiry will be made of His Majesty's Minister at Peking as to the last part of the Question.