§ 13. Mr. Shepherdasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will state the number of cases involving narcotics for the latest available year, and the corresponding figures for the five previous years.
§ Mr. WoodhouseIn 1962 there were 675 convictions for offences involving dangerous drugs The corresponding figures for the years 1957 to 1961 were 100, 155, 236, 275 and 357 respectively.
§ Mr. ShepherdIs my hon. Friend aware that even these increasing prosecutions do not, in some people's minds, represent the true increase in narcotics offences in this country? Will he do his best to intensify the efforts against this trade?
§ object of ensuring more promotion within the service.
§ Following is the Answer:
§ Mr. WoodhouseI am very well aware of public anxiety on this point, and both the police forces and the Customs and Excise are keeping a very close watch on the matter, as we ourselves are also doing, including the possibility of a need for amendment of the law to facilitate enforcement. I would add that the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police has recently very substantially increased the strength of the Metropolitan Police drugs squad.