HL Deb 29 June 1992 vol 538 cc624-5

4.54 p.m.

Viscount Astor rose to move. That the draft order laid before the House on 9th June be approved [2nd Report from the Joint Committee].

The noble Viscount said: My Lords, I beg to move the first order standing in my name and, with your Lordships' leave, speak to the others. The Long Titles of the orders are complex. Their aim, however, is simple: they are designed to strengthen still further our defences against drug trafficking.

As your Lordships know, drug traffickers are no respecters of international frontiers. That means that we must work closely with other countries and have the legal basis to do so if we are to make inroads into their criminal activities. We are determined to pursue very vigorously every available opportunity for practical and effective co-operation. A significant step toward that goal was our ratification last year of the 1988 United Nations Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances. The main purpose of that convention is to encourage greater unity among states in many aspects of the anti-drugs strategy.

The United Kingdom's own strategy against drug misuse is as multi-faceted as the problem it seeks to address. It recognises that we cannot be short-sighted or insular in our efforts to stem the problem in this country. On the contrary, a major element in the strategy is to take an active role in international efforts. We seek to give a clear lead to other countries through our own example. We have demonstrated that we are prepared to pay more than lip service to that important initiative. The one thing which unites drug traffickers around the world is the quest for financial gain. Their profits are enormous, and they are becoming increasingly adept at manipulating the financial system—at the international level—to their own benefit. One of our first priorities must therefore be to secure effective co-operation with other countries in the enforcement of laws against such illicit financial gain.

The orders will lay the foundations for such co-operation. They extend the list of countries designated for the purposes of international co-operation against the financial base of the drugs trade and thereby strengthen our contribution to the international effort against drug trafficking. They are very similar in form to Orders in Council which enjoyed the unreserved support of this House last year and the year before. They will enable us to implement four further bilateral agreements which we have negotiated recently with Argentina, Germany, Guyana and Uruguay. They will also enable us to designate a number of countries which have ratified the 1988 Drugs Convention since the last orders were made, thus ensuring that we continue to meet our international obligations under the convention.

We expect these orders to make life more difficult for drug traffickers. We intend to make it still more so. I commend the orders to the House.

Moved, That the draft order laid before the House on 9th June be approved [2nd Report from the Joint Committee].—(Viscount Astor.)

Lord Graham of Edmonton

My Lords, we on these Benches greatly welcome the action which the Government propose to take. Having participated on the margin in these debates previously, I understand the difficulties the Government face in trying to make progress. We know that their heart is in the right place. An extension of the coverage of action is to be welcomed.

I have one question only. Can the Minister tell us which countries have not yet signed and whether there is any reason why any country should not be prepared to join with other countries in stopping the dreadful trafficking and damage caused to the world's peace of mind? Some countries may be reluctant to sign. There may be an economic reason. We know that in some countries the economic reason sadly overrides the moral aspect of this matter. If the Minister cannot help me, I am sure that he will write to me. If some countries refuse to be a party to what is a laudable objective they should be exposed to the public. We on this side of the House warmly welcome the Government's action.

Viscount Astor

My Lords, under the existing arrangements, the United Kingdom's central authority has handled a total of 122 requests to and from other countries since the previous orders were introduced. We have about £5 million under restraint here under bilateral agreements. Only designated countries with which we have bilateral agreements and which are parties to the Vienna Convention come under the order. Many countries do not because we are in the process of negotiating and we are pressing them to agree. We are trying to expand the net. For example, we hope shortly to sign an agreement on the confiscation of the proceeds of drug trafficking and terrorist funds and an extradition treaty with India. It is something that we are constantly working on.

On Question, Motion agreed to.