§ Mr. ROBINSONasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will state what action is at present taken to restrict the wholesale disposal of opium to Chinese and others in our seaports; and whether the purpose of the Pharmaceutic Act, 19091 is being defeated by the retail of unlimited quantities of opium to smokers and keepers of seamen's lodging-houses?
§ Mr. McKENNAThe only restrictions at present imposed by law on the sale of opium are those contained in the Pharmacy Acts. By the Act of 1908, opium was included in the first part of the Schedule of poisons to which the Acts apply, and can only be sold by a registered chemist and in accordance with the special conditions prescribed by Section 17 of the Act of 1868 for the sale of poisons in the first part of the Schedule. I am informed that the Pharmaceutical Society has on several occasions taken proceedings against Chinese storekeepers and other traders for the illegal sale of 215W opium, and is prepared to take further action if and when definite evidence is available.