§ 33. Mr. Sorensenasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the importation and transport of qat is now completely prohibited in Aden and the Aden Protectorate; whether medical opinion is conclusive that it is deleterious; and to what extent this narcotic leaf is illegally imported and chewed in these areas.
§ Mr. J. AmeryThere is no control of the import of qat into the Protectorate; import into Aden Colony is by licensed importers.
The latter part of the Question does not therefore arise.
The commission of inquiry set up by the Government of Aden in 1958 concluded that qat, unless used to excess, is not injurious.
§ Mr. SorensenIs the hon. Gentleman aware that it has been alleged that the consumption or chewing of gum is distinctly deleterious? Can he say whether anything further is being done in order to make sure whether it is highly dangerous to human life and health, and, if so, to take measures accordingly?
§ Mr. AmeryI have been given to understand that unless taken to excess it does not do real harm to anybody's health.