§ 24. Sir J. D. REESasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will consider the evil effects of the present stringent suppression of the use of opium in the spread of drinking habits among the coolies in Malaya and elsewhere, and in the use of cocaine; whether the objective of the Government is the forcible abolition of the use of all stimulants in the East; whether that is a practicable policy; and, if not, whether he will consider if moderation in, or mitigation of, the suppression of opium will on the whole most conduce to moderation in this behalf?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for the COLONIES (Mr. Harcourt)It is the fact that the consumption of fermented liquors, especially beer and stout, has considerably increased in the Malay States since 1909, and the working of the Excise Enactments is being carefully studied, with a view to the proper control of this 874 consumption. It is also the fact that recent seizures point to a certain amount of illicit importation of cocaine. As regards the last part of the question, the hon. Member is aware that the main object of the Opium Convention of 1912 is to provide for the control of the trade in cocaine, morphine, and their derivatives concurrently with the restriction of opium to medicinal uses.
§ Sir J. D. REESDoes the right hon. Gentleman agree that cocaine or morphine is more injurious than opium?
Mr. T. C. TAYLORIs the question of the injuriousness of a number of injurious things worth considering at all?
§ Mr. HARCOURTI do not propose to deal with that aspect of the question.