HC Deb 02 March 1916 vol 80 c1225W
Sir J. D. REES

asked the Secretary of State for India whether evidence exists to the effect that cocaine was smuggled to India in Austrian steamers before the outbreak of war; and whether cocaine dens have, since the suppression of opium, been established in most of the big Indian cities?

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN

Cocaine has in the past been smuggled into India by Austrian and German and also by other steamship lines. The habit, in a more or less furtive form, exists in Indian seaport towns and in a less degree in the largest inland cities; but, so far as my information goes, it is unconnected with the opium habit or with measures taken to suppress the latter.