Cannabis

HC Deb 15 June 1982 vol 25 cc243-5W

Mr. Wheeler

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many persons have been found in possession of cannabis at Heathrow airport during the most recent 12-month period; how many of these detections have been for less than one ounce; and how many persons have been prosecuted.

Mr. Bruce-Gardyne

In the year ended 31 May 1982, 677 persons were found in possession of cannabis; 240 of whom had less than one ounce; 579 persons were prosecuted as a result of these detections.

Mr. Hayhoe

The annual changes since 1 April 1977 are shown in the following table:

Mrs. Renée Short

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much cannabis has been seized at Heathrow airport for each of the last five years; and what percentage of this was in seizures for amounts up to 25 grammes.

Mr. Bruce-Gardyne

The following are the details of seizures of cannabis at Heathrow airport for each of the last five years:

1977
Cannabis seized	2,006.387 kilos
Percentage of cannabis seized in amounts up to 25 grammes (in seizures representing 29 per cent. of the total number made)	0.0003 per cent.

1978
Cannabis seized	3,183.981 kilos
Percentage of cannabis seized in amounts up to 25 grammes (in seizures representing 30 per cent. of the total number made)	0.0003 per cent.
1979
Cannabis seized	4,199.375 kilos
Percentage of cannabis seized in amounts up to 25 grammes (in seizures representing 21.5 per cent. of the total number made)	0.029 per cent.
1980
Cannabis seized	2,815.368 kilos
Percentage of cannabis seized in amounts up to 25 grammes (in seizures representing 40.6 per cent. of the total number made)	0.0661 per cent.
1981
Cannabis seized	4,008.153 kilos
Percentage of cannabis seized in amounts up to 25 grammes (in seizures representing 36.1 per cent. of the total number made)	0.03 per cent.

Mrs. Renée Short

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will consider the introduction of spot fines for minor cannabis offences at international airports.

Mr. Bruce-Gardyne

Under their statutory powers the Commissioners of Customs and Excise propose to institute experimentally at London airport compounding of proceedings for some customs offences involving 10 grammes or less of cannabis.