§ Sir H. Linsteadasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action Her Majesty's Government propose to take concerning the Resolution adopted by the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations at its 18th session urging all Governments to prohibit the manufacture, import, and export of diacetylmorphine except for such small amounts as may be necessary for scientific purposes only.
§ Major Lloyd-GeorgeHer Majesty's Government have given careful consideration to this Resolution and have decided to take steps to give effect to it. Accordingly the current licences for the general manufacture of diacetylmorphine under the Dangerous Drugs Act, 1951, which expire on 31st December, 1955, will not be renewed. After that date licences will only be granted for the manufacture of such small quantities as may be required for purely scientific purposes and for the production of nalorphine, for the manufacture of which diacetylmorphine is required as an intermediate stage. Although the Resolution makes no reference to nalorphine the discussions which led up to it recognised that an exception for the manufacture of this drug would be required.
I propose to authorise no further exports of the drug save where the export is requested by a Government for one of these two purposes. The import of diacetylmorphine will not be permitted.