Written question asked by Paul Flynn (Labour) on Tuesday, 3 February 1998, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 9 February 1998. It was answered by Baroness Jowell (Labour) on Monday, 9 February 1998 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his Answer of 3rd February, 304 c614W, what are the percentages of(a) females and (b) males who have used an illegal drug by the age of (i) 16 and (ii) 24 years. - Table given.

Answer: Mr. Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 3 February 1998, Official Report, column 614, what are the percentages of (a) females and (b) males who have used an illegal drug by the age of (i) 16 and (ii) 24 years. [28195] Ms Jowell: The information available centrally is given in the table. Percentage of males and females who indicated that they had ever taken drugs, 1996, England and Wales _________________________________________________________________________________________________. Age 16 to 19 Age 20 to 24 Males 48 57 Females 42 43 Persons 45 49 _________________________________________________________________________________________________. Note: Percentages rounded to the nearest whole figure. Source: 1996 British Crime Survey

Secondary information