§ MR. O'GRADYI beg to ask the Secretary of State for India whether, in view of the fact that the export of Bengal opium has fallen from 53,583 chests in 1906–7 to 48,000 in 1907–8, and the further fact that the area of 1301 cultivation has extended from 553,697 in the former period to 562,500 in the last year quoted, he can inform the House whether the resulting crops of such extended area is or will be exported to other countries than China, or whether the habit of opium consumption is growing among the peoples of India; and that such extended area of cultivation is to meet such home demand; and, if so, whether steps will be taken to drastically reduce the area of cultivation below that of 1906–7.
§ MR. MORLEYThere has been no extension of the area under poppy. The standard or maximum area fixed for regulating the grant of licences to cultivate was fixed for 1906–7 at 594,000 acres. The area actually harvested in that year was, 553,697 acres. For 1907–8 the standard area was reduced to 562,500 acres. The actual area, when returned, will prove to be below this figure. For 1908–9 the standard area has again been reduced to 500,000 acres. I am afraid the drastic reduction demanded by my hon. friend would hardly extend employment.