§ 34. Dr. McDONALDasked the Minister of Health if he is aware that cocaine is not a drug which is essential to the 1296 medical and dental professions, owing to the manufacture of many less toxic substitutes; and will he therefore take steps to prohibit the importation of so pernicious a drug into this country, if necessary, by legislation?
§ Sir J. BAIRDMy right hon. Friend has asked me to answer this question. The Home Office is in consultation with the Ministry of Health as to the need for cocaine in medical and dental practice, and I am not prepared at present to express any opinion as regards the suggestion in the first part of the question. As regards the second part of the question, the importation of cocaine except under Home Office licence is already prohibited.