HC Deb 14 November 1929 vol 231 cc2239-40W
Major POLE

asked the Secretary of State for India which of the six inquiries instituted by the local governments to investigate the high consumption of opium in certain areas in India has not yet been completed; if he will state the date on which this inquiry was instituted; and whether, in view of the evidence in the reports of the black areas committees which have been published that the opium habit in certain of these areas is on the increase, he will consider representing to this local government the desirability of completing its inquiry as soon as possible so that the conference to be convened by the Government of India to consider the problem of the black areas may be expedited?

Mr. BENN

The Bombay inquiry has not yet been completed. In that province separate inquiries we're instituted in different areas. These were started some time after June, 1927, but I have not the exact date. The Government of India recently stated their intention of hastening matters, and I will inquire how matters stand.

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