§ 40. Mr. Benceasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what action he proposes taking to prevent the drugs dexedrine, drimonil, and nembutal being obtained by young people, other than by medical prescription.
§ Mr. Brooman-WhiteThe supply of these drugs to the public is confined by law to medical prescription. I understand that police inquiries are being made in Glasgow into an alleged black market in these drugs. Any evidence that the law is being broken should be brought to the notice of the criminal authorities.
§ Mr. BenceIf reports which have appeared in the Glasgow Press are true, it is a disgusting reflection on the way in which these drugs are distributed and handled by those who are responsible for distributing and handling them. When can we expect something drastic to be done to prevent these pernicious things getting into the hands of young people?
§ Mr. Brooman-WhiteThe law provides that these drugs should be given only on prescription. If there is any evidence of abuse of that we should certainly be in favour of most vigorous action being taken.
§ Mr. HoyIs the Under-Secretary aware that this is becoming a serious problem and that it has been raised in connection with certain cases in the Scottish courts? Could he ask his right hon. Friend to look into this matter to see if there is any way of preventing the abuse of this service by certain people in certain parts of the country?
§ Mr. Brooman-WhiteWe certainly take this matter most seriously, but I think that we had better wait and see what comes out of the police inquiry before considering further action.