§ 7. Mr. Rankinasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what was the total number of persons sent to prison in Hong Kong during 1965; and, of these, how many were drug users.
§ Mr. StonehouseA total of 12,786, of whom 10,668 were found to be drug users.
§ 8. Mr. Rankinasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many pounds of raw opium, prepared opium, morphine and heroin, respectively, were confiscated in Hong Kong during 1965.
§ Mr. StonehouseThe figures in pounds are: 6,470, 83.5, 322 and 86.5, respectively.
§ Mr. RankinWhile thanking my hon. Friend for those figures, may I ask him if he is aware that the wholesale price of heroin in Hong Kong is £460 per lb. weight? Is he aware that when the drug is transported from Hong Kong and sold in the United States it fetches £36,500 per lb. weight? Is it not obvious that there must be powerful influences in Hong Kong engaged in this lucrative industry, which is also undermining the well-being of the people of Hong Kong?
§ Mr. StonehouseI am aware that there is a very large illicit trade in narcotics in Hong Kong, but I am also satisfied that the Preventive Branch is doing its best to stamp out this trade.