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To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they made, in moving cannabis from class C to class B, of what the effect would be on the prices charged by criminal dealers.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they made, in moving cannabis from class C to class B, of what the effect would be on the prices charged by criminal dealers.
Asked by
Lord Cobbold
(Crossbench)
Answered by
Lord West of Spithead
(Labour)
Oral questions - Lead
Status
Answered
Procedure
Topical questions (HL)
For answer on
5 November 2009
Answered on
5 November 2009
My Lords, the Government have made no formal assessment of the effect that reclassification of cannabis to a class B drug in January 2009 would have had on the prices charged by drug dealers.
Subjects
Cannabis; Prices
Date
5 November 2009
Reference
714 c376
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
I thank the noble Lord for that rather predictable response. Would he agree that it is a disgrace that the drugs trade, which is now said to be the second largest global market, after oil, is totally in the hands of criminals? Should not the United Nations and national Governments be looking for new policies such as, for example, those that have been successfully trialled in Portugal?
I thank the noble Lord for that rather predictable response. Would he agree that it is a disgrace that the drugs trade, which is now said to be the second largest global market, after oil, is totally in the hands of criminals? Should not the United Nations and national Governments be looking for new policies such as, for example, those that have been successfully trialled in Portugal?
Asked by
Lord Cobbold
(Crossbench)
Oral questions - 1st Supplementary
Status
Answered
Answered on
5 November 2009
My Lords, I know that the noble Lord has for some time held the view that we should legalise controlled drugs. I understand the complex arguments for their being looked after in a regulated manner, but I am afraid that I believe, and the Government have concluded, that the disadvantages would far outweigh the benefits.
At a time when we are trying to reduce the use of tobacco and the misuse of alcohol due to concerns over their safety, it would be absolutely perverse to take a huge gamble on public health in legalising currently illegal drugs. These things have a real impact on the streets. People talk about them in a remote, airy-fairy way, but the reality on the streets in some areas of our country is really quite horrendous. What we are doing is absolutely right.
Subjects
Cannabis; Decriminalisation; Drugs; Prices
Date
5 November 2009
Reference
714 c376-7
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
My Lords, I thank the Minister for that rather brief response. He has, I believe, seen the House of Lords letter that was addressed to Secretary-General of the United Nations ahead of the Vienna convention. It was signed by 28 noble Lords from this House and suggests that, because current prohibition policies have failed, the UN, ""should now establish an Intergovernmental Panel charged with the task of examining all possible alternative policies for the control of the drugs trade … The important thing is to get the debate out in the open and free of all prejudices"."
There has been no response from the UN, but is this not a really important policy option that our Government should now follow up either at United Nations level or perhaps within Europe as a starter?
My Lords, I thank the Minister for that rather brief response. He has, I believe, seen the House of Lords letter that was addressed to Secretary-General of the United Nations ahead of the Vienna convention. It was signed by 28 noble Lords from this House and suggests that, because current prohibition policies have failed, the UN, ""should now establish an Intergovernmental Panel charged with the task of examining all possible alternative policies for the control of the drugs trade … The important thing is to get the debate out in the open and free of all prejudices"."
There has been no response from the UN, but is this not a really important policy option that our Government should now follow up either at United Nations level or perhaps within Europe as a starter?
Asked by
Lord Cobbold
(Crossbench)
Oral questions - 1st Supplementary
Status
Answered
Answered on
11 May 2009
My Lords, I thank the noble Lord for his question. When I responded to our debate on 22 January, when this issue arose, I pointed that my experience in the United Nations—I look for an affirmative nod from noble friends around me—has shown that it is easier to build on what is there than to change, because the consensus required would involve the vast majority of nations which have ratified the conventions. Therefore, when we sought in Vienna to investigate these areas we found no consensus in the United Nations forum for a review of the kind proposed, therefore it would not seem the most productive route to take.
Subjects
Drugs; United Nations; Conferences
Date
11 May 2009
Reference
710 c814
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have made any changes to their drugs policies following the United Nations high-level drugs conference in Vienna in March.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have made any changes to their drugs policies following the United Nations high-level drugs conference in Vienna in March.
Asked by
Lord Cobbold
(Crossbench)
Answered by
Lord Brett
(Labour)
Oral questions - Lead
Status
Answered
For answer on
11 May 2009
Answered on
11 May 2009
My Lords, the Government have made no such changes. The political declaration gave no basis on which to do so.
Subjects
Drugs; United Nations; Conferences
Date
11 May 2009
Reference
710 c814
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
My Lords, does the Minister agree that devaluing sterling is short-changing our depositors and that competitive devaluations were a very damaging feature of the 1930s?
My Lords, does the Minister agree that devaluing sterling is short-changing our depositors and that competitive devaluations were a very damaging feature of the 1930s?
Asked by
Lord Cobbold
(Crossbench)
Oral questions - Supplementary
Status
Answered
Answered on
19 January 2009
My Lords, I do not think the market movement in sterling has an effect on the value of deposits. Many factors do, but that is not one within a domestic economy. Nor do I think that we are engaged in any way in a programme of competitive devaluations. Our exchange rate is set according to a free market.
Subjects
Economic situation; Sterling; Exchange rates; Currency realignment
Date
19 January 2009
Reference
706 c1441-2
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
My Lords, what is the status of negotiations with France on the aircraft carriers?
My Lords, what is the status of negotiations with France on the aircraft carriers?
Asked by
Lord Cobbold
(Crossbench)
Oral questions - Supplementary
Status
Answered
Answered on
25 June 2007
My Lords, we agreed at the end of 2005 to work with France in licensing to it the design rights to the aircraft carriers. As it was able to use our work on its own aircraft carrier, it agreed to pay one-third of the costs through the development phase. That collaboration has gone well. We have been able to maintain the pace and cost of the British project without any negative impacts because of the structure of that collaboration with France.
Subjects
Procurement; Aircraft carriers
Date
25 June 2007
Reference
693 c415-6
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
My Lords, I thank the Minister for that response. I am of course aware of the excellent report of the House of Commons Science and Technology Committee, Drug Classification: Making a hash of it. I note in particular the report’s conclusion, on page 48, that, "““we have found glaring anomalies in the classification system as it stands and a wide consensus that the current system is not fit for purpose””."
Do the Government agree that the real problem is not about detailed composition of their classification system but that current national and international drugs policies are as a whole not fit for purpose? Is it not obvious that prohibition, as the late Milton Friedman once wrote, "““is an attempted cure that makes matters worse””?"
We are told that the drugs trade is the second largest global business after oil, and it is all in the hands of criminals. Does the Minister consider this to be acceptable?
My Lords, I thank the Minister for that response. I am of course aware of the excellent report of the House of Commons Science and Technology Committee, Drug Classification: Making a hash of it. I note in particular the report’s conclusion, on page 48, that, "““we have found glaring anomalies in the classification system as it stands and a wide consensus that the current system is not fit for purpose””."
Do the Government agree that the real problem is not about detailed composition of their classification system but that current national and international drugs policies are as a whole not fit for purpose? Is it not obvious that prohibition, as the late Milton Friedman once wrote, "““is an attempted cure that makes matters worse””?"
We are told that the drugs trade is the second largest global business after oil, and it is all in the hands of criminals. Does the Minister consider this to be acceptable?
Asked by
Lord Cobbold
(Crossbench)
Oral questions - 1st Supplementary
Status
Answered
Answered on
16 January 2007
My Lords, I disagree with the fundamental premise of the noble Lord—that, in some way or other, legalisation would solve all our problems with drugs. We do not believe that. It is not the Government’s policy and we have no intention of reviewing it.
Subjects
Drugs; Misuse
Date
16 January 2007
Reference
688 c563
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
What is the status of the root and branch review of the ABC system of drug classification, announced by the Home Secretary in January 2005.
What is the status of the root and branch review of the ABC system of drug classification, announced by the Home Secretary in January 2005.
Asked by
Lord Cobbold
(Crossbench)
Answered by
Lord Bassam of Brighton
(Labour)
Oral questions - Lead
Status
Answered
For answer on
16 January 2007
Answered on
16 January 2007
My Lords, in October 2006, when publishing their reply to the House of Commons Science and Technology Committee’s report on the relationship between scientific evidence and the classification of illegal drugs, Her Majesty's Government announced that the review of the drug classification system would not be proceeding at this time. We considered this matter very carefully. We continue to believe that the current system discharges its function fully and effectively, providing clear and meaningful distinctions.
Subjects
Drugs; Misuse
Date
16 January 2007
Reference
688 c563
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
My Lords, I thank the noble Lord for his response. Does he agree that the vital role in our economy played by road freight transport and the extra carbon emissions from traffic congestion both argue for a higher priority to be given to road improvement and construction? Our existing road system is showing its age and there are numerous congestion black spots that are crying out for traffic-easing investment. As for new roads, have the Government given any consideration, for example, to the possible construction of an outer M25 ring road around London?
My Lords, I thank the noble Lord for his response. Does he agree that the vital role in our economy played by road freight transport and the extra carbon emissions from traffic congestion both argue for a higher priority to be given to road improvement and construction? Our existing road system is showing its age and there are numerous congestion black spots that are crying out for traffic-easing investment. As for new roads, have the Government given any consideration, for example, to the possible construction of an outer M25 ring road around London?
Asked by
Lord Cobbold
(Crossbench)
Oral questions - 1st Supplementary
Status
Answered
Answered on
18 October 2006
My Lords, on the latter point, no, not at this juncture. On the noble Lord’s basic point, roads are of course essential to our economy and that is why we propose to spend£1.7 billion over the next two years on at least23 major schemes. But I want give the House the assurance that we intend to lock in the benefits of motorway widening by effective traffic management so that we do not produce additional congestion in due course.
Subjects
Construction; Greater London; Motorways; Road traffic; Roads
Date
18 October 2006
Reference
685 c761
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
Whether their current highways investment programme addresses the problems of congestion on the M25 and other major highways.
Whether their current highways investment programme addresses the problems of congestion on the M25 and other major highways.
Asked by
Lord Cobbold
(Crossbench)
Answered by
Lord Davies of Oldham
(Labour)
Oral questions - Lead
Status
Answered
For answer on
18 October 2006
Answered on
18 October 2006
My Lords, we are delivering a range of measures to tackle congestion across the whole of the motorway network, including a significant programme of motorway widening, better management of the network through the introduction of Highways Agency traffic officers, and the use of national and regional control centres. We are trialling new measures to make best use of motorway capacity. We are also exploring the scope for developing a national system of road pricing.
Subjects
Construction; Motorways; Road traffic; Roads
Date
18 October 2006
Reference
685 c761
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
Lords debate on motion to call attention to the drug classification system. Motion withdrawn.
Lords debate on motion to call attention to the drug classification system. Motion withdrawn.
Lead member
Lord Cobbold
Answering member
Lord Bassam of Brighton
Department
Home Office
Type
Parliamentary proceedings
Subjects
Crime; Cannabis; Decriminalisation; Health hazards; Drugs; Health education; Misuse; Rape; Mental health; Rehabilitation; Methamphetamine; Khat
Date
2 March 2006
Reference
679 c393-422
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
My Lords, I thank the Minister for that response, which I am afraid is very much what I expected. All are agreed that drugs are harmful, that their use should be discouraged and that education and rehabilitation programmes should be encouraged. The disagreements arise on the supply side. The war on drugs is simply not being won. Is the Minister aware that the drug trade is said to be the second largest global business after oil and that it is totally in the hands of organised crime? Does he agree that legalisation would permit regulation, taxation and quality control? Does he also agree that it is illogical to treat alcohol and tobacco differently from other recreational drugs? I believe that this is a global problem, but it is high time that we had a broad and deep discussion, debate and review of this area.
My Lords, I thank the Minister for that response, which I am afraid is very much what I expected. All are agreed that drugs are harmful, that their use should be discouraged and that education and rehabilitation programmes should be encouraged. The disagreements arise on the supply side. The war on drugs is simply not being won. Is the Minister aware that the drug trade is said to be the second largest global business after oil and that it is totally in the hands of organised crime? Does he agree that legalisation would permit regulation, taxation and quality control? Does he also agree that it is illogical to treat alcohol and tobacco differently from other recreational drugs? I believe that this is a global problem, but it is high time that we had a broad and deep discussion, debate and review of this area.
Asked by
Lord Cobbold
(Crossbench)
Oral questions - 1st Supplementary
Status
Answered
Answered on
26 January 2006
My Lords, with his knowledge and insight into this area of policy, the noble Lord asks a wide range of questions. It is certainly not the Government’s policy to endorse the option of legalising drugs, and we have made that clear on many occasions. The classification review will enable us to take account of where we are going with drugs policy in one particular area, and that is right.
I agree with the noble Lord that this is a global problem and it obviously demands global solutions. While that sounds glib, in essence it is the right approach, and we need to work internationally to tackle many of the problems to which the noble Lord referred. The noble Lord is also absolutely right that we need to tackle the matter through education campaigns. That is exactly what we have been doing, and the FRANK education campaign, which has been going on for some time, has been very successful. Anything further than that would be a matter for broader discussion.
Subjects
Drugs
Date
26 January 2006
Reference
677 c1278-9
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
Whether, as part of the proposed review of the drug classification system, they will undertake a broad review of the advantages and disadvantages of drug legalisation.
Whether, as part of the proposed review of the drug classification system, they will undertake a broad review of the advantages and disadvantages of drug legalisation.
Asked by
Lord Cobbold
(Crossbench)
Answered by
Lord Bassam of Brighton
(Labour)
Oral questions - Lead
Status
Answered
Procedure
Topical questions (HL)
For answer on
26 January 2006
Answered on
26 January 2006
My Lords, no. The objective of the forthcoming review of the classification of drugs announced by my right honourable friend the Home Secretary on 19 January is to bring greater clarity to the system of control. Her Majesty’s Government have no intention of legalising controlled drugs.
Subjects
Drugs
Date
26 January 2006
Reference
677 c1278
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
My Lords, would it not be possible to negotiate a fixed charge for each mission to cover all its vehicle movements in the area?
My Lords, would it not be possible to negotiate a fixed charge for each mission to cover all its vehicle movements in the area?
Asked by
Lord Cobbold
(Crossbench)
Oral questions - Supplementary
Status
Answered
Answered on
24 January 2006
My Lords, leaving behind parking fines, which are accumulated as people break parking laws, a fixed sum in respect of congestion charges would require the consent of the authorities in London. That was discussed with the authorities in London, but they were not prepared to have any variation in any of the charging arrangements. I suspect that some noble Lords might have complained about that themselves. That is what would be needed to change the congestion charging arrangements for London.
Subjects
Diplomatic service; Greater London; Parking offences; Roads; Speed limits; Road traffic offences; Tolls; Unpaid fines
Date
24 January 2006
Reference
677 c1061-2
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
My Lords, I declare an interest as a landowner in the green belt. Does the Minster agree that the statement in PPG2 that the quality of the landscape is not relevant to the inclusion of land within the green belt is both illogical and over-restrictive? Would it not be more rational and less restrictive to have a grading system for green belt land, such as exists, for example, in the grading of listed buildings?
My Lords, I declare an interest as a landowner in the green belt. Does the Minster agree that the statement in PPG2 that the quality of the landscape is not relevant to the inclusion of land within the green belt is both illogical and over-restrictive? Would it not be more rational and less restrictive to have a grading system for green belt land, such as exists, for example, in the grading of listed buildings?
Asked by
Lord Cobbold
(Crossbench)
Oral questions - Supplementary
Status
Answered
Answered on
11 July 2005
My Lords, given the purpose of the green belt, it would not be possible to have a quality issue for the green belt as a lot of it is rubbish land. That is why it is green belt. It is the band around our urban areas, and should not be confused with areas of outstanding natural beauty. Such areas account for some 16 per cent of the land in England, and green belt accounts for 13 per cent. In addition, the national parks are quite separate at 7 per cent.
It is not possible to have a quality issue for the green belt; it is a collar to contain urban areas. Much of it is rubbish land compared to areas of outstanding natural beauty.
Subjects
Construction; Brownfield sites; Green belt; Property development; Greenfield sites
Date
11 July 2005
Reference
673 c877
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
Lords debate on motion to call attention to the proposed accession of Turkey to the European Union. Motion withdrawn.
Lords debate on motion to call attention to the proposed accession of Turkey to the European Union. Motion withdrawn.
Lead member
Lord Cobbold
Answering member
Lord Wallace of Saltaire
Department
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Type
Parliamentary proceedings
Subjects
Administration of justice; Culture; Cyprus; Democracy; Human rights; EU accession; EU enlargement; Freedom of expression; Free movement of people; Religious freedom; Turkey; Islam; Peace negotiations; War graves; Kurds; Northern Cyprus; Geography
Date
15 December 2004
Reference
667 c1335-73
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
1st supplementary on providing time for an early debate of the issue in the House of Lords.
1st supplementary on providing time for an early debate of the issue in the House of Lords.
Asked by
Lord Cobbold
(Crossbench)
Oral questions - 1st Supplementary
Status
Answered
Answered on
10 November 2004
Subjects
Debates; House of Lords; EU enlargement; Turkey
Date
10 November 2004
Reference
666 c881
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
Whether they support the proposed accession of Turkey to the European Union.
Whether they support the proposed accession of Turkey to the European Union.
Asked by
Lord Cobbold
(Crossbench)
Answered by
Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean
(Labour)
Oral questions - Lead
Status
Answered
For answer on
10 November 2004
Answered on
10 November 2004
Subjects
Debates; House of Lords; EU enlargement; Turkey
Date
10 November 2004
Reference
666 c881
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
1st supplementary on the decriminalisation of cannabis.
1st supplementary on the decriminalisation of cannabis.
Asked by
Lord Cobbold
(Crossbench)
Oral questions - 1st Supplementary
Status
Answered
Answered on
21 July 2004
Subjects
Cannabis; Decriminalisation; Drugs; Misuse
Date
21 July 2004
Reference
664 c216
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
What have been the main developments following the first six months of cannabis reclassification. -
What have been the main developments following the first six months of cannabis reclassification. -
Asked by
Lord Cobbold
(Crossbench)
Answered by
Baroness Scotland of Asthal
(Labour)
Oral questions - Lead
Status
Answered
For answer on
21 July 2004
Answered on
21 July 2004
Subjects
Cannabis; Decriminalisation; Drugs; Misuse
Date
21 July 2004
Reference
664 c216
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords