§ Ms AbbottTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what sums of money have been recovered from drug traffickers since 1 January; and what proportion of this amount is ear-marked for anti-drug abuse projects. [3898]
§ Mr. MacleanNo figures are yet available for 1996. The latest available figures show that, in the last financial year—1995–96—£5,343,241.63 was recovered from convicted drug traffickers. Under present accounting arrangements, all confiscated money is paid directly into the Consolidated Fund, from which Government expenditure generally, including substantial funding for drug-related work, is financed. In addition, sums realised from the enforcement of overseas confiscation orders, asset shares and gifts received as a result of co-operation with other countries are specifically ear-marked for 619W spending on anti-drug projects through the seized assets fund, and £168,000 has been made available in this way for spending in 1996–97.