HC Deb 31 January 1994 vol 236 c569W
Mr. Flynn

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the annual cost to his Department of enforcement of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.

Mr. Charles Wardle

The Misuse of Drugs Act provides the legal framework for controlling drugs to prevent their misuse and for dealing with social problems connected with their misuse. It also regulates the legitimate trade in drugs. For England and Wales, the cost to this Department of enforcing the provisions of the Act, including police activity and the costs of dealing with convicted offenders, was estimated at about £147 million for the year 1992–93.

Mr. Flynn

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what percentage of court cases involving the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 are(a) cannabis, (b)cocaine and (c) heroin related.

Mr. Maclean

In 1992, the last year for which figures are available, the percentage of persons found guilty of offences against the Misuse of Drugs Act in respect of each type of drug was: cannabis, 65 per cent.; cocaine, 3 per cent.; and heroin, 4.5 per cent.