§ Mr. THEODORE TAYLORasked the Secretary for Foreign Affairs whether, with a view to restrict the use of morphia to medical and legitimate purposes, it is the intention of the British Government to sign the special protocol prepared as the result of the third Hague Opium Conference in June, 1914, which has already been signed by China, the United States, and the Netherlands?
§ Sir E. GREYA protocol has been opened at The Hague to receive the signatures of those Powers who intend to put the Opium Convention into force without waiting for the ratification by all the Signatory Powers. I do not, however, consider it practicable in the existing circum-2170W stances to take any action at present beyond depositing the ratification of the signature of the British delegates, which has already been done. It has been the guiding principle of His Majesty's Government throughout the protracted negotiations that, though fully prepared to make all useful sacrifices in the interests of humanity, they could only secure the objects of the Convention, namely, the suppression of the illicit trade not only in morphia but also in opium, cocaine, and other noxious drugs, by practically universal international co-operation. The attainment of those objects is not, in the opinion of His Majesty's Government, likely to be hastened by action on their part in the sense indicated by the hon. Member.