HC Deb 26 May 1971 vol 818 cc366-7
23. Mr. Clark Hutchison

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if, in view of the rise in drug taking and drug thefts in Edinburgh, he will call for reports from the police authorities about the work and strength of drug squads; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Buchanan-Smith

It is for chief constables to determine how best to deploy their manpower but I know that they are devoting increasing resources to problems arising from the misuse of drugs.

Mr. Clark Hutchison

Does my hon. Friend realise that the number of these offences in Edinburgh has doubled in the past year and that there is great concern in the city? Is he convinced that there are enough police resources, in manpower, equipment, intelligence work and everything else, to get rid of this appalling problem.

Mr. Buchanan-Smith

I share my hon. Friend's concern and I know that it is also shared by the Edinburgh police. I want to pay tribute to the work of the force and of its drug squad. So far as the force's establishment is concerned, we are prepared to give all the help we can in order to assist it to meet this very difficult problem.

Mr. Ronald King Murray

Does the hon. Gentleman accept the need to enlist to co-operation of the parents in any effective campaign against teenage drug taking? Will he consider a campaign to educate parents, in view of the education gap, in order to give them some knowledge of the danger of drug taking and also in the detection of what I understand to be the characteristic odour of cannabis?

Mr. Buchanan-Smith

I agree that the matter must be tackled on a wider front than police work alone. In many local authority areas, liaison committees have already been set up whereby educational and social workers come together with local medical officers and police officers. This wider approach is much the most effective one that we can follow.