§ 38. Mr. FORRESTasked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that, in consequence of the scheduling of cannabis indica as a poison, all firms using it, even for minor manufactures of a non-deleterious nature, have had only from 26th February to 3rd April to label millions of articles; and whether, in view of the impossibility of conforming within this time with the Regulations, he will postpone the date of their enforcement and in the meantime investigate the need for their existence in these specific cases?
§ 40. Mr. WOMERSLEYasked the Home Secretary if he is aware that the Order of the Privy Council making cannabis indica a poison, and which comes into force on 3rd April, will inflict hardship on many small shopkeepers, who are not members of the Pharmaceutical society, who stock articles, such as corn plasters, containing a small quantity of cannabis indica; and will he postpone putting into operation the Order for one month to allow them to dispose of their stocks?
§ 87. Mr. H. WILLIAMSasked the Minister of Health if he is prepared to delay the operation of Statutory Rule No. 198, making cannabis indica a poison, so as to allow traders time to make the necessary arrangements and also to permit representations to be made with a view to modifications of the order to meet cases of hardship which may arise?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSI am afraid there is no power to postpone the operation of this Order. Under the Statute the resolution of the Council of the Pharmaceutical Society for the inclusion of a substance in the Poisons Schedule takes effect one month after the order of the Privy Council Office approving it has been advertised in the "London Gazette." As the resolution was passed as long ago as 1497 last August, ample notice has been given to all interested parties; and there do not appear to be any grounds on which the Government could properly intervene now. I am sure that no harsh measures will be taken by the Pharmaceutical Society in the enforcement of the law.