§ 3. Mr. CECIL WILSONasked the Home Secretary whether, seeing that the heroin available for internal consumption in 1924 was 909 kilogrammes, that the manufacture and imports in the following year was 344 kilogrammes, the exports and re-exports 236 kilogrammes, and the weight available for internal consumption 108 kilogrammes, he can explain what became of the balance of 1,017 kilogrammes in 1924 and 1925, seeing that this is many times the quantity available for internal consumption in other years?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSThe explanation is that the figures include 745 kilos of heroin in 1924 and 15 kilos of heroin in 1925 which were not used as such but were reconverted into morphine. If these figures are subtracted from those quoted by the hon. Member as available for internal consumption, it will be found that the balance in each year approximates to the general annual average of the surplus of heroin imported and manufactured over that exported and re-exported. The hulk of the heroin so reconverted consisted of illicit consignments to the Far East which were seized at Hong Kong and sent home to this country for disposal.
§ Mr. WILSONCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether the amount here of 108 kilogrammes is not in excess of that recommended by the Committee of the League of Nations and that the 2155 Chinese coolies do not destroy all the heroin that is seized in this way, and whether we are making a profit out of it?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSThe answer to the last part of the question is that it is not destroyed but is sent over here in order to be utilised for medicinal purposes. With regard to the first part of the same supplementary question, I want to be strictly accurate. I must ask the hon. Member to put that question down, and then I will give him a definite answer.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYDoes the right hon. Gentleman control the exports and re-exports of this drug from this country?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSI think so.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYCould not that be done in any case to prevent this traffic?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSNo, the hon. and gallant Gentleman sees that this substance is useful in certain cases for medicinal purposes, and our object is to control the use of the drug or prohibit the use of the drug except for proper use in medicine.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYCan it be freely exported?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSNo, Sir.