Written question asked by John Bercow (Conservative) on Monday, 23 October 2000, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 31 October 2000. It was answered by Charles Clarke (Labour) on Tuesday, 31 October 2000 on behalf of the Home Office.

Home Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what discussions he has had with his counterparts in the European Union about their approach to soft drugs; what assessment he has made of the approach of the Dutch Government to soft drugs.

Answer: Mr. Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what discussions he has had with his counterparts in the European Union about their approach to soft drugs; [134534] (2) what assessment he has made of the approach of the Dutch Government to soft drugs. [134535] Mr. Charles Clarke: We have regular discussions with counterparts in the European Union covering a wide range of issues relating to comparative drug policies and practices. One of the outcomes is, the European Union Drug Strategy for 2000-04. Where Dutch policy is markedly different is in relation to their attempts to separate the markets for so called soft drugs, and drugs such as heroin and cocaine. The most obvious example of this is the Dutch policy towards the sale and possession of cannabis for personal use through the system of "coffee shops". Such a policy, whereby use of cannabis remains illegal but the laws are not enforced cannot be a model for the United Kingdom; nor have I seen any evidence that it would be desirable to follow this example.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 355 c431W; 134534;134535
Session: 1999-00
Subjects: Cannabis Decriminalisation Drugs International cooperation EU action Misuse Policy Netherlands
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk