§ 23. Mr. Boothasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will take steps to reduce the risk of addictive drugs being stolen from chemists' shops, hospitals and doctors' surgeries.
§ Mr. Merlyn ReesMy right hon. Friend is preparing regulations under Section 4 of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1967 about the storage of drugs in chemists' shops. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Services is about to give further advice to hospitals. The implications of the Regulations for doctors' surgeries are being studied.
§ Mr. BoothWill my hon. Friend consider the advisability of crime prevention officers visiting all those premises where addictive drugs are normally kept, with a view to making recommendations on how greater security can be achieved? Is my hon. Friend aware that his reply will be of some reassurance to those people who are becoming increasingly concerned about young people being involved in crimes which carry with them not only the risk of their leading to further crimes but also the risk of drug addiction?
§ Mr. ReesMy hon. Friend has raised an interesting point, and when we discuss the regulations which will arise under the legislation I have no doubt that more right hon. and hon. Members will be able to bring their wide experience into the discussion.
§ Sir A. V. HarveyIs the hon. Gentleman satisfied that, in addition to the premises already mentioned, precautions are taken on manufacturers' premises to deal with this important problem?