§ Viscountess ASTORasked the Home Secretary what quantity of morphia was manufactured in England in 1920; how much of this was used for home consumption: and how the residue was disposed of?
§ Sir J. BAIRD643,985 ozs. of morphine were made in 1920. No statistics of the amount used for home consumption are available. According to the returns supplied by the Customs, 322,464 ozs. of morphine and heroin were exported, but these figures do not include amounts exported by post or the amounts exported in the form of preparations.
§ Viscountess ASTORasked the Home Secretary whether the output of morphia in this country is at present controlled under the Dangerous Drugs Act, 1920, by means of licences to manufacturers or by any other method; and, if not, why this course has not been adopted?
§ Sir J. BAIRDYes, the manufacture of morphine in this country can only now be carried on under Home Office licence.
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§ Viscountess ASTORasked the Home Secretary whether 96,000 lbs. of special medical opium were sent by the Indian Government to the Secretary of the Revenue and Statistics Department, London; and, if so, whether he will say to whom, and for what purpose, was it subsequently sold?
§ Sir J. BAIRDI am not sure to what date the question refers; but it is the case that, owing to the stoppage of supplies of Turkish and Persian opium, Indian opium was imported into this country during the War for the manufacture of morphia required for the British and Allied Armies. It was sold to the manufacturers in this country. The balance of the stocks was reshipped to India early in 1920, and Indian opium is not at present being used by British morphia manufacturers.