HC Deb 22 March 1971 vol 814 c27
30. Mr. Dalyell

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will discuss with the Government of Turkey how international help can be given to those Turkish farmers who earn their living by producing cannabis and other drug raw materials, to enable them to switch their production to other cash crops.

The Minister for Overseas Development (Mr. Richard Wood)

Many Governments are considering possible lines of action against drug abuse throughout the world. If the Turkish Government wanted to do so, I should be ready to discuss bilateral assistance for rural development, with the object of encouraging the substitution of crops for the opium Poppy.

Mr. Dalyell

Is the Foreign Office aware that it was the view of a number of American politicians making an international drugs study, including Congressman Jim Scheuer of New York, that this was perhaps one of the ways to tackle the evil?

Mr. Wood

As I said, if the Turkish Government indicated a willingness to do so, I should certainly be ready to enter discussion with them.