§ Mr. Meacherasked the Attorney-General what guidelines have been issued, or are being considered, regarding prosecution policy in relation to the exchange of used needles by drug abusers in favour of free disposable needles.
The Attorney-GeneralThe guidelines in the code for Crown prosecutors, published pursuant to section 10 of the Prosecution of Offences Act 1985, a copy of which has been placed in the Library of the House of Commons, are applied to all cases referred by the police to the Crown Prosecution Service. When reaching decisions in cases relating to the misuse of drugs, the Crown Prosecution Service, where relevant, will have proper regard to public interest considerations arising out the measures brought in to halt the spread of the AIDS virus.