Written question asked by Jeremy Corbyn (Labour) on Thursday, 13 January 2011, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 18 January 2011. It was answered by James Brokenshire (Conservative) on Wednesday, 26 January 2011 on behalf of the Home Office.

Bolivia: Drugs

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what her policy is on the proposal by Bolivia to exempt traditional uses of coca from the provisions of the 1961 UN Convention on Narcotic Drugs; and if she will make a statement.

Answer: [holding answer 18 January 2011]: The Government submitted an objection on 21 January 2011 to the Bolivian proposal to amend the United Nations Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs 1961 to remove coca leaf as an illicit drug. If coca leaf were permitted to be removed from the Convention, it would likely result in more coca cultivation, which in turn would lead to greater cocaine production.The Government remain committed to working with Bolivia to tackle cocaine supply and trafficking and I have recently signed a memorandum of understanding with the Bolivian Government to reinforce that close cooperation.

Secondary information