HC Deb 27 January 1966 vol 723 cc387-8
34. Mrs. Joyce Butler

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will introduce legislation to give local authorities power to close cafés where drug trafficking takes place.

Mr. Roy Jenkins

I do not have such a proposal in mind at present, but I am urgently studying the adequacy of the existing controls over the supply of drugs.

Mrs. Butler

When my right hon. Friend studies the present controls, will he bear in mind that many local authorities are very concerned about those cafés which are a source of drug addiction among young people and that it is an expensive and cumbersome procedure for local authorities to promote their own Private Bills to try to deal with this problem?

Mr. Jenkins

I in no way minimise the extent of the problem associated with cafés, but I think my hon. Friend and the House will appreciate that it is a little easier to see this problem than to see exactly what is the correct solution.

Mr. Deedes

Can the right hon. Gentleman say how responsibility in this matter is divided between him and the Minister of Health, and possibly the Minister of Housing and Local Government? Is this not a problem which needs the single direction of one Minister and is there not some danger of it being lost between Ministers?

Mr. Jenkins

I do not think that is a danger. Certainly I will look at the matter. Clearly the Minister of Health has responsibilities and we have. I do not know about the Minister of Housing and Local Government, but if by some extra co-ordination we can deal with it more effectively, I am certainly prepared to look at the matter with my right hon. Friend.

Mr. Manuel

Will my right hon. Friend recognise that there is ample evidence and proof that much trafficking in drugs is taking place in cafés, many of them of poor repute? If so, is he prepared to consider legislation which would give local authorities power to deal with this position?

Mr. Jenkins

Yes, I am prepared to consider, as I indicated in my Answer, this approach to the matter, but I want to be satisfied that this will not merely result in trafficking being moved to other cafés.