§ Mr. CECIL WILSONasked the Undersecretary of State for India whether there is any intention on the part of the Government to have an official inquiry into opium conditions generally in India; and, if so, whether he can give this House any information as to the nature and scope of the inquiry?
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§ Earl WINTERTONAbout the beginning of this year the Government of India addressed local governments, drawing attention to someprima facie evidence of abuses of opium in various directions, and asked them to examine the question and to consider with the Government of India by what kind of special inquiry or committee the problem should be dealt with if the local governments come to the conclusion that the evidence made it desirable to review the conclusions of the Royal Commission of 1893. In September last the Government of India stated that they were still awaiting the replies of local governments.