§ 39. Mr. Jannerasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department to what extent the sale of dangerous drugs is increasing in the West End of London; if he will give the reason for the increase; and what action he is proposing to take to deal with this danger.
§ Mr. EdeI am satisfied that there is no organised illicit traffic in drugs to which the Dangerous Drugs Acts apply, either in the West End of London or elsewhere in this country, and that in most of the individual cases of unlawful use of these drugs the offender is brought to justice. My Department, in cooperation with the police and His Majesty's Customs, will continue to exercise the utmost vigilance in order to secure the enforcement of the law relating to dangerous drugs. I am satisfied that, as a result of the measures taken, addiction to dangerous drugs is not a serious problem in this country.
§ Mr. JannerWhilst thanking my right hon. Friend for his statement, may I ask him if he can say whether in the recent case where sufficient drug to kill something like 5,000 persons was stolen, any progress has been made in the recovery of that drug?
§ Mr. EdeWe are doing what we can to get it back, but it does not appear that it has yet been taken by any very large proportion of the 5,000 people.
§ Mr. John Lewisis the Minister satisfied in view of the remarkable number of instances recently where publicity has been given to the loss of drugs from doctors' cars, that in every case the losses are genuine?
§ Mr. EdeA doctor reports the loss; whether the drugs or the loss are genuine, I am afraid I do not know.