§ 1. Sir J. D. REESasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether anything, and, if so, what, has resulted from the International Opium Conference held at The Hague in December and January last?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Sir Edward Grey)The Convention which was signed as a result of the International Conference has not yet been ratified, but an invitation has been received from the Netherland Government, in accordance with Article 23 of the Convention, for a fresh meeting of delegates to take place in June at The Hague to examine the question of 1454 ratification. His Majesty's Government have accepted that invitation.
§ 6. Sir J. D. REESasked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether, if, at the end of 1917 China is proved not to have discontinued her cultivation of the poppy, India will be entitled to export to China the number of chests she would have been entitled to export but for the, in that case abortive, agreement?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for INDIA (Mr. Montagu)Under the terms of the agreement, the export of opium to China will have been brought to an end by the close of 1917, and there is no provision for its resumption in any circumstances.
§ Mr. LYNCHMay I ask if this Government will refrain from at any time forcing upon China a drug, the use of which the Chinese consider pernicious and which they are endeavouring to end?
§ Mr. MONTAGUI think the hon. Member expresses views which are more a subject of debate than of question and answer.