§ Mr. RathboneTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what collaboration there has been within the Commonwealth in tackling national and international drug misuse and trafficking problems.
§ Mr. EggarSuccessive Commonwealth Heads of Government meetings have stressed the importance of cooperation in this field. Regular and effective co-operation takes place through established channels within the United Nations, Interpol and the Customs Co-operation Council; and through close bilateral links between individual countries. A scheme relating to mutual assistance in criminal matters within the Commonwealth was launched in 1986 which will provide a framework for co-operation for countering drug and other serious international crime trafficking. The Commonwealth Secretariat is assisting Commonwealth countries through the provision of training in a number of drug-related areas.