HC Deb 13 June 1955 vol 542 cc268-9
39. Sir R. Boothby

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, in view of the protests of the British Medical Association and of the medical profession throughout the country against the threatened withdrawal of heroin, he will now permit the manufacture of this drug in limited quantities for use by medical practitioners, and subject to a ban on its export.

The Joint Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department (Sir Hugh Lucas-Tooth)

The Council of the British Medical Association has asked my right hon. and gallant Friend to receive a deputation on this subject and he has agreed to do so.

Sir R. Boothby

May I ask the hon. Gentleman to bear in mind that, in the opinion of the great majority of the medical profession of this country, this drug alone can bring relief to certain types of pain, particularly that connected with inoperable cancer? As there are only 40 heroin addicts known in this country, will he bear in mind that it is most undesirable that possibly avoidable suffering should be inflicted on thousands of patients, if adequate controls over the drug can be devised?

Sir H. Lucas-Tooth

My right hon. Friend the Minister of Health has today answered a Question dealing with the medical aspects of this matter. My right hon. and gallant Friend the Home Secretary would prefer to postpone replying to my hon. Friend until he has had an opportunity of discussing the matter with the deputation.