HC Deb 21 July 1966 vol 732 cc865-7
Q6. Mrs. Reneé Short

asked the Prime Minister what administrative arrangements exist to co-ordinate the responsibilities of the Minister of Health, the Secretary of State for the Home Department, the Secretary of State for Education and Science, and the social services in order to tackle more effectively the problem of drug addiction, especially among young people.

The Prime Minister

I would refer my hon. Friend to the Answer I gave on 24th May to a similar Question by the right hon. Member for Ashford (Mr. Deedes).

Mrs. Short

Is my right hon. Friend aware that that is a very unsatisfactory reply? Is he aware that there is very serious concern about the lack of Government activity in this matter since the publication of the Brain Report last November? Is my right hon. Friend aware that while the Government are doing nothing children of 11 and 12 are getting "hooked" on hard drugs? Does he not think that this is a matter of very grave concern and one on which action should be taken'?

The Prime Minister

I agree that there is very widespread concern on the question and that there is every reason for that concern, but it does not mean that because of that concern we should proceed to get the wrong answer in terms of inter-departmental co-ordination. Obviously, in their different spheres, all three Departments are concerned with the problem, and we are considering whether any changes in inter-departmental arrangements are required. The projected Medicines Bill will affect the distribution of some of the functions, and we shall then have to decide whether any changes are needed.

Mr. Hogg

But is not the Prime Minister aware that the real key to this problem lies in legislation, both on the control of drugs and on the unlicensed clubs where the drugs are peddled? Will he not undertake to find Government time for this legislation, even if it means squeezing out some of his more controversial Measures?

The Prime Minister

I agree that this is partly a question of legislation, and hon. Members on both sides in this Parliament, the previous Parliament and the Parliament before that have been particularly concerned about the inadequacy of control over clubs. Many of us have said that in our debates on these clubs. Certainly, legislation is needed, certainly it will be introduced on the first possible occasion, but there is a lot of other action that has to be undertaken, too.