§ Mr. STEWARTasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will give the comparative figures of the export of morphia and opium compounds from the United Kingdom for the first six months of 1913, 1914 and 1915; whether people sending morphia compounds by post have to declare the contents; and whether the exports to China show any increase?
Mr. RUNCIMANThe following statement gives the information desired by the hon. Member:—
(a) EXPORTS OF MORPHIA AND MORPHIA SALTS. To all destination. Ozs. To China only. Ozs. United Kingdom Produce— January to June, 1913 201,890 320 January to June, 1914 271,102 2,320 January to June, 1915 175,090 57 Foreign and Colonial Produce— January to June, 1913 666 Nil. January to June, 1914 80 Nil. January to June, 1915 6,480 Nil.
(b) EXPORTS OR OPIUM. To all destinations. Lbs. To China only. Lbs. United Kingdom Produce— January to June, 1913 7,338 Nil. January to June, 1914 8,267 Nil. January to June, 1915 5,588 11 Foreign and Colonial Produce— January to June, 1913 172,131 Nil. January to June, 1914 129,320 Nil. January to June, 1915 76,633 Nil. Persons forwarding goods by parcel post to foreign countries or British Possessions are required to fill in a Customs declaration specifying, inter alia, the nature and value of the goods. The importation of morphia and opium into China through the medium of the parcel post is prohibited.