Written question asked by Lord Jones (Labour) on Monday, 27 April 1998, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 11 May 1998. It was answered by George Howarth (Labour) on Monday, 11 May 1998 on behalf of the Home Office.

Home Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, If he will make a statement about the priorities of his Department for the UK presidency of the European Union in respect of drug abuse. (Failed OPQ).

Answer: Mr. Barry Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement about the priorities of his Department for the UK presidency of the European Union in respect of drug abuse. [40298] Mr. George Howarth: The United Kingdom Presidency has given priority to action against drug trafficking and drugs misuse, in particular by building on the wide range of work already underway across the three pillars of the European Union, which covers the responsibilities of a number of Government Departments. A main objective for the Home Office, in addition to ongoing practical activity, such as implementation of the Joint Actions on new synthetic drugs and approximation of drugs laws and practices, has been to launch consideration of a new five-year European Union drugs strategy, which would take effect from 2000. We have tabled detailed proposals of the key aims and goals of the new strategy. We have also played a significant part in ensuring an effective input to European Union co-ordination in the preparatory process for the United Nations General Assembly Special Session on Drugs, being held in New York in June, particularly in areas of direct interest to the Home Office, such as precursor chemicals, amphetamine-type stimulants, judicial co-operation, money laundering and drugs demand reduction.

Secondary information