§ Mr. Lawlerasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress has been made thus far towards the drafting of a third United Nations convention on illicit drug trafficking which would provide for multilateral extradition arrangements for persons arrested for drug offences.
§ Mr. MellorEarlier this year the Secretary-General of the United Nations invited member states to submit comments and proposals on the elements which might be included in a new convention on the illicit drug traffic. A copy of the United Kingdom's response was placed in the Library on 3 July. At its meeting next February the United Nations commission on narcotic drugs will consider the responses made by Governments, with a view to initiating the preparation of the text of a draft convention. The United Kingdom will be pressing for quick progress on those aspects where international co-operation is vital, including more effective extradition arrangements.