§ 30. Mr. Dalyellasked the Attorney-General how many prosecutions have taken place in December against those accused of peddling in drugs.
§ The Attorney-General (Sir Peter Rawlinson)This figure is not yet available.
§ Mr. DalyellHas the Attorney-General seen the recent report of the introduction into this country of considerable quantities of potent forms of heroin from Hong Kong and all that has been written about the international drugs traffic? Will he reflect whether the Government could do something about the less usual forms of entry of heroin and other drugs to this country, and, when the difficult feat of tracking down drug pedlars has been achieved, will he instruct the courts to impose massive sentences?
§ The Attorney-GeneralThe Question which the hon. Gentleman asked is about the number of prosecutions in December. That figure is not yet available. It is not the duty of, and it would not be right for, any Minister to instruct the courts on their duty. In reply to the first part of the supplementary question, I will certainly see that this is borne in mind.