§ 4. Mr. Sackvilleasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to improve prevention of importation of dangerous drugs through regional airports.
§ Mr. MacGregorCustoms and Excise is well aware of the risk of drug smuggling through regional airports. It is making increasing use of risk assessment, intelligence and information in identifying potential drug smugglers 996 and drug trafficking routes. Technical aids are also being increasingly used. Although the prevention of drug smuggling is not simply a matter of numbers, additional staff have been allocated to certain provincial airports where the risk is greatest to deal specifically with drugs.
§ Mr. SackvilleIs my right hon. Friend aware that the north-west has a major drug problem and that Manchester airport is probably one of the major channels for the importation of heroin into this country? Will he guarantee that whatever resources are made available at Heathrow and Gatwick in terms of Customs manning levels, sniffer dogs, thermal imaging and technology are also made available at Manchester?
§ Mr. MacGregorI am well aware of and share my hon. Friend's concern about this matter. In the three years from 1985 to 1987, 560 new posts were allocated, and the great majority of the new officers were engaged on the prevention of drug smuggling. We are also increasing the number of technical aids and the money spent on their development and introduction. Decisions on manpower at Manchester this year depend on the advice of local managers.
Mr. Ron BrownMost hard drugs come from Pakistan, especially through Pakistan International Airways. Will the Minister make an effort to control that situation? Will he ban PIA aircraft from entering Britain and thereby make much easier the job of the Customs and Excise staff, who are under great pressure at present because of cuts?
§ Mr. MacGregorThe banning of airlines is not a matter for me. We have increased not only the Customs and Excise staff, but the effort to deal with the problem of drug smuggling at the source.
§ Mr. FletcherIn view of the seriousness of the problem, does my right hon. Friend agree that prevention is cheaper than cure? Despite the resources that he has just announced to the House, will he give an undertaking that the resources made available for the prevention of drug smuggling is demand-led, riot cash limited?
§ Mr. MacGregorWe look at this matter each year in the public expenditure round. I hope my hon. Friend will agree that my concern is shown by the fact that we have considerably increased the sums and posts this year. As he rightly recognises, prevention is most important, and it is having an effect, as Customs and Excise is increasingly seizing more heroin and cocaine each year.