§ 45. Mr. Doddsasked the Minister of Agriculture what is the purpose of the 2550 experimental growing of Indian hemp in East Anglia; and what precautions will be taken to ensure that the husks and dried flowers do not fall into the hands of those interested in the production of reefer cigarettes.
§ The Minister of Agriculture (Major Sir Thomas Dugdale)Hemp is being grown experimentally by the Agricultural Research Council Unit of Experimental Agronomy as part of its research into new crops. The scale of production is extremely small and I understand that the hemp heads are destroyed. It is an offence under the Dangerous Drugs Acts to be in possession of the dried flowering, fruiting tops of Indian hemp without a licence from the Home Office.
§ Mr. DoddsWho is responsible for seeing that the heads are burnt or do not get into undesirable hands?
§ Sir T. DugdaleThe Unit of Experimental Agronomy are responsible. They have three plots in different parts of the country, and of only one-eighth of an acre each.