§ Mr. Corbettasked the Prime Minister whether she intends to publish the report on opium poppy production for seed in England and Wales being drawn up jointly by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and the Home Office.
§ The Prime MinisterMy right hon. Friends the Secretary of State for the Home Department and the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food are urgently considering how far the United Kingdom's legitimate need for poppy seeds can be met from domestic supplies, having regard to the need for a proper system of regulation and to climatic conditions. We would need to be satisfied that any such production posed no threat of diversion to the illicit drug market. We shall ensure that the results of these deliberations are made public at the earliest opportunity.