Written question asked by Paul Flynn (Labour) on Tuesday, 24 March 1998, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 1 April 1998. It was answered by George Howarth (Labour) on Wednesday, 1 April 1998 on behalf of the Home Office.

Home Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what was the proportion of amphetamines seized in the last 12 months for which figures are available, with a degree of purity of (a) less than 5 per cent., (b) 5 to 10 per cent., (c) 10 to 20 per cent., (d) 20 to 30 per cent., (e) 30 to 40 per cent., (f) 40 to 50 per cent., (g) 50 to 60 per cent., (h) 60 to 70 per cent. and (i) 70 per cent. and above; and what quantity was seized in each band. - Includes table and figures.

Answer: Mr. Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the proportion of amphetamines seized in the last 12 months for which figures are available, with a degree of purity of (a) less than 5 per cent., (b) 5 to 10 per cent., (c) 10 to 20 per cent., (d) 20 to 30 per cent., (e) 30 to 40 per cent., (f) 40 to 50 per cent., (g) 50 to 60 per cent., (h) 60 to 70 per cent. and (i) 70 per cent. and above; and what quantity was seized in each band. [36479] Mr. George Howarth: In 1997, where the Forensic Science Service was asked to test for purity of police seizures of amphetamine, the purity was as follows: _________________________________________________________________________________________________. Purity Percentage of cases Less than 5 36 5-10 24 10-20 17 20-30 10 30-40 6 40-50 3 50-60 2 60-70 2 More than 70 1 _________________________________________________________________________________________________. Note: Figures are rounded. The quantity seized in each band is not available. The overall average purity was around 14 per cent. although the typical (modal) purity was around 5 per cent. Where the Forensic Science Service was asked to test for purity of Customs seizures, the average purity on importation in 1997 was around 40 per cent. More detailed information on purity on importation is not available.

Secondary information