HC Deb 27 January 1930 vol 234 cc580-1
4. Major POLE

asked the Secretary of State for India if he can give information showing the consumption of opium per 10,000 of the population in Calcutta; and how this figure compares with the League of Nations' Health Committee's estimate of the limit of legitimate consumption per 10,000 of the population?

Mr. BENN

The consumption of opium per 10,000 of the population in Calcutta was 86 seers in 1928–29. The League standard, which was suggested for the medical and scientific requirements of countries possessing a highly organised medical system and has little applicability to the conditions of India, was equivalent to about 6 seers per 10,000.