§ 28. Captain Litchfieldasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many convictions under the Dangerous Drugs Act there have been in the Metropolitan Police area during the last three consecutive 12-monthly periods for which figures are available; what were the countries of origin of the persons convicted; and whether he is satisfied that all practicable measures within the control of Her Majesty's Government are being taken to prevent the unauthorised importation of drugs.
§ Mr. Fletcher-CookeConvictions under the Dangerous Drugs Act, 1951, in the Metropolitan Police District 1578 numbered 139 in 1959, 174 in 1960 and 227 in 1961. I will, with permission, circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT information about the countries of origin of the persons convicted. My right hon. Friend is satisfied that all practicable measures are being taken to prevent unlawful importation.
§ Captain LitchfieldI thank my hon. and learned Friend for that reply and assure him that I have the utmost admiration for the efforts of the Metropolitan Police in dealing with this vicious traffic, which I think is borne out by the figures. However, may I ask him whether he feels that perhaps greater use might not be made of the powers of deportation in respect of persons coming from overseas who are convicted of drug trafficking?
§ Mr. Fletcher-CookeCertainly, Sir. Of course, hitherto in the case of many persons of origin outside the country there has not been power to deport.
§ Following is the information:
| — | 1959 | 1960 | 1961 | |
| Aden | … | — | — | 1 |
| Antigua | … | — | 1 | — |
| Bermuda | … | — | — | 1 |
| British Guiana | … | 2 | 5 | 4 |
| Canada | … | 2 | — | 4 |
| Cyprus | … | 3 | 8 | 16 |
| Dominica | … | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Gambia | … | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| Ghana | … | 3 | 5 | 5 |
| Gibraltar | … | 2 | — | — |
| Hungary | — | — | 1 | |
| India | … | 1 | 6 | 4 |
| Irish Republic | … | 13 | 1 | 8 |
| Jamaica | … | 42 | 52 | 81 |
| Malta | … | 2 | 6 | 3 |
| Mauritius | … | — | — | 1 |
| New Zealand | … | — | 1 | — |
| Nigeria | … | 6 | 5 | 2 |
| Pakistan | … | 1 | 3 | 1 |
| Poland | … | — | 1 | — |
| Sierra Leone | … | 1 | — | 2 |
| Singapore | … | — | — | 1 |
| Spain | … | 1 | — | — |
| Tanganyika | … | — | — | 2 |
| Trinidad | … | 4 | 4 | 10 |
| Union of South Africa | … | 2 | 3 | — |
| United Kingdom | … | 40 | 61 | 69 |
| United States of America | … | — | 1 | 1 |
| In twelve, nine and six cases, respectively, the countries of origin could not be identified. |