§ 1. Sir WILLIAM COLLINSasked the President of the Board of Trade the total amount of morphia and morphia salts of British manufacture that was exported to Japan, including Formosa and the leased territories in China, during 1913, 1914, and 1915, and the value thereof; whether he has official information showing that the amount so exported is required for medical and legitimate purposes only as prescribed by the International Opium Convention, 1912; if not, whether he has evidence to show its destination and the other uses to which it is put; and whether the Government will proceed to put into force the Opium Convention, which was ratified by Great Britain in 1914?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Mr. Balfour)The quantities and value of morphia and morphia salts of British manufacture recorded as exported to Japan (including Formosa and Japanese leased territories 1653 in China) during the years specified amounted to 252,110 ounces, valued at £118,794, in 1913; 352,130 ounces, valued at £143,975, in 1914; and 204,742 ounces, valued at £136,059, in 1915. These figures do not include exports by parcel post, respecting which no figures are available. With regard to the eventual destination of this morphia and the uses to which it was ultimately put, these are questions which concern the Japanese Administration, but are outside the competence of His Majesty's Government. His Majesty's Government are of opinion that it would not be desirable to put the opium Convention into force pending the deposit of ratifications by all the Signatory Powers.
§ Sir W. COLLINSIs this not evidence that much of this morphia finds its way into China in substitution for opium?
§ Mr. BALFOURI am afraid that I have no information on that point.