§ 16. Mr. Rankinasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies what inquiries she made into the extent of the drug trade during her visit to Hong Kong.
§ Mrs. WhiteI discussed this matter with the Governor and his advisers. The Hong Kong Government co-operate 1261 closely with other Governments and the United Nations in measures against drug trafficking. Action in the fields of illicit traffic, rehabilitation of addicts, research and popular education is now coordinated by the recently established Action Committee against Narcotics.
§ Mr. RankinIs my hon. Friend aware that in 1959 the Hong Kong Government said that they would take particular and speedy measures to suppress this trade, but that today Hong Kong is still the centre of this drug trade in the Far East with 80,000 addicts in the Colony itself?
§ Mrs. WhiteI do not pretend that the position does not cause anxiety, but I am satisfied that very great efforts are being made to combat this evil.