§ Mr. PONSONBYasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies when the opium monopoly was established in Irak; whether it is a Government monopoly or whether the privileges are being farmed out; how many selling permits have been issued; how many smoking-rooms have been licensed; and what proportion of the opium sold is Indian and what proportion Persian?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GORESo far as I am aware, no general opium monopoly has been established in Iraq. In 1920 an attempt was made to control the opium traffic by the institution of local monopolies in areas where it appeared to need regulation, and I have received no information a any change of policy. The nigh Commissioner is being instructed to furnish a full report on the whole question.