§ 15. Mr. Loveridgeasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is his estimate, from information available from international sources, of the acreage of crops grown suitable for the manufacture of heroin and morphine in each of the major producing countries, and of the amounts of heroin and morphine produced by these countries; and how these compare with the world's needs for legal use.
§ Mr. KershawThe figures in tons for lawful use in 1970 are opium 1,370 tons, morphine 177 tons, heroin 111 kgs. An estimated minimum of 1,000 tons of opium were produced illicitly. Details are to be found in the International Narcotics Board Report, which is in the Library of the House.
§ Mr. LoveridgeIn view of that very serious answer, for which I am grateful, may I ask my hon. Friend whether he is aware that each ton of opium illicitly produced can itself provide over 200 lb. of heroin, and that trade on this scale represents a very serious threat to the Western World? In view of the improved relations with China, will he now take up this question with the Chinese Government, and with other Governments whose nations are involved in this illegal production and traffic?
§ Mr. KershawWe realise that this is a very serious problem—although it is not so serious a problem in this country as in others. We participate fully in United Nations deliberations on the subject and we are contributors to the United Nations Fund for Drug Abuse Control. I entirely agree with my hon. 899 Friend about the seriousness of the matter.