§ Mr. SillarsTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list United Kingdom and United Kingdom dependencies flag vessels seized by the United States under the 13 November 1981 exchanges of notes concerning co-operation in the suppression of the unlawful importation of narcotic drugs into the United States, showing the date seized, the drugs found, the number of persons arrested and indicate any judicial penalties imposed.
§ Mr. SainsburyI am arranging for copies of a list showing the British vessels seized under the 1981 Exchange of Notes, the date seized, the drugs found and the number of persons arrested to be deposited in the Library of the House.
We are seeking information on the penalties imposed in each case. I shall write to the hon. Member in due course.
§ Mr. SillarsTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the United States authorities to clarify the geographic scope of the 13 November 1981 exchange of notes concerning co-operation in the suppression of the unlawful importation of narcotic drugs into the United States and to strengthen both reporting requirements and dispute resolution procedures; and if he will make a statement on the efficacy of the agreement.
§ Mr. SainsburySince the Exchange of Notes was concluded in 1981 we have been in contact with the Americans about various aspects of the agreement. In our view, the agreement works satisfactorily; it is helping the fight against the clandestine import of drugs in the area to which the agreement relates. It is not our practice to disclose details relating to the operation of such agreements.