§ 44. Mr. RAMSDENasked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the sentence of six months' imprisonment recently passed on a coloured vendor of cocaine, whose methods of concealment showed extreme ingenuity, and whose moral character would appear on investigation to have been most unsavoury in other respects; whether this was the maximum sentence; and whether he has inquired, and, if not, whether he will inquire, from the London stipendiaries if they consider their powers of punishment are sufficient to really check this illegal drug selling?
§ Mr. SHORTTYes, Sir, my attention has been called to this case. Six months is the maximum sentence of imprisonment that can be imposed on a first conviction, but it is not the maximum penalty, as a fine up to £200 can be imposed as well. The working of the present regulations which only came into force on the 1st September last, is being carefully watched by my Department, who are in close touch with the police authorities, and if it appears that the present powers are insufficient, I should not hesitate to come to Parliament for further powers. It is clear, however, in view of the international character of the traffic, that it can only be effectively dealt with by international cooperation, and the whole question of the measures necessary to cope with the traffic has been engaging the attention of the Advisory Committee appointed by the League of Nations. Their proposals, when received, will be carefully considered.