To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he has investigated the scientific potential for opium plants to be developed as a bio-fuel energy source. (80162)

I have been asked to reply.

The Government are not aware of any specific research on using opium plants as a source of fuel. Compared with other plants which are used to make biofuels or energy, opium plants have a relatively low yield. In countries where they are grown for the unregulated drug trade, a better solution would therefore be for the growers to change to other crops.