§ Mr. Nicholas Wintertonasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many prescriptions were issued in Northern Ireland in 1980 and so far in 1981 for the drugs cannabis and heroin.
§ Mr. John PattenNo prescriptions for cannabis were issued. The number of prescriptions issued for diamorphine hydrochloride—heroin—injections during 1980 was 365, and in the period 1 January to 30 April 1981—latest available figures—the number of such prescriptions was 115, and none were for the treatment of addiction.
Diamorphine Hydrochloride is used as an ingredient in certain preparations, for example in the treatment of cancer, but the number of prescriptions for such preparations is not recorded and could be ascertained only at disproportionate cost.