Written question asked by Julian Huppert (Liberal Democrat) on Monday, 10 October 2011, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 13 October 2011. It was answered by James Brokenshire (Conservative) on Wednesday, 19 October 2011 on behalf of the Home Office.

Bolivia: Drugs

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps the Government is taking to encourage Bolivia to re-accede to the 1961 UN Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs.

Answer: [holding answer 13 October 2011]: Bolivia withdrew from the UN Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs 1961 on 1 July 2011. The Bolivian Government have announced that it will reapply to the convention in January 2012, with a reserve on the articles relating to the prohibition of coca leaf. The international community will then have 12 months to consider the reserve. The Government continue to engage with their EU and international partners, including the Bolivian Government, to formulate their position.We remain committed to working with Bolivia to tackle the drugs trade, which causes harm to both our countries. A Memorandum of Understanding on Drugs Co-operation was signed in January 2011 to formalise this commitment.

Secondary information