HC Deb 20 March 1952 vol 497 cc2543-4
35. Mr. Norman Dodds

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people were convicted in 1949, 1950 and 1951, of offences in respect of dangerous drugs.

The Secretary of State for the Home Department (Sir David Maxwell Fyfe)

The number of convictions under the Dangerous Drugs Acts for the years 1949 and 1950 were 159 and 147, respectively. The provisional figure for 1951 is 234.

Mr. Dodds

In view of the grave significance of the increase in 1950 and 1951, is the Minister satisfied that everything possible is being done to deal with this modern craze?

Sir D. Maxwell Fyfe

Yes, Sir. I believe that some of the increase in convictions is due to increased vigilance on the part of the Police, Customs and Dangerous Drugs Inspectorate. However, I should make it quite clear that there is still no sign of regular, organized, widespread illicit traffic.