asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many registered drug addicts there were in the Southampton area on 31st December, 1971; and what are the comparable figures for the years 1965 to 1970. inclusive.

The number of narcotic drug addicts in Hampshire known to the Home Office to be receiving narcotic drugs on prescription or from other sources at 31st December, 1971 was 50; the figures at the end of 1969 and 1970 were 53 and 47 respectively. Figures for earlier years are not available.