§ 1. Colonel DAYasked the Under-Secretary of State for India the number of acres for opium poppy at present under cultivation in the area of British India; and if he can give the House particulars of what steps are being taken to carry out the Report contained in the League of Nations Union to abolish poppy cultivation in other parts of India?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for INDIA (Earl Winterton)The area was 71,057 acres in 1926. I do not know what report is referred to in the second part of the question. The results of the Simla Conference of 26th May last on opium cultivation in the Indian States were stated in reply to the hon. Member for Shoreditch on 28th July.
§ Captain GUNSTONMay I ask the Noble Lord if it is not a fact that the opium grown in India is used for eating and not for smoking? Is it not a fact that the opium for smoking comes from China? Could the Noble Lord say what the League of Nations is doing in regard to Chinese opium?
§ Earl WINTERTONMy hon. and gallant Friend will have to address a question to the Foreign Secretary with regard to the latter part of his question. Opium in British India is cultivated under conditions of extreme care with regard to the Regulations and restrictions laid down by law.
§ Colonel DAYIs the cultivation being increased in British India?
§ Earl WINTERTONOh, no. The cultivation in British India has been decreasing for many years past.
§ Mr. LOOKERIs there any object in trying to stop the cultivation in India so long as it is going on unrestricted in China?