§ Mrs. SpelmanTo ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his oral statement of 1 July on the G8 Summit, what measures are being taken in heroin and cocaine producing states to stop production of raw material and to prevent their products from leaving the country. [66838]
§ The Prime MinisterThe UK is leading the co-ordination of international anti-narcotics assistance to Afghanistan (which is the source of 90 per cent. of the heroin consumed in the UK). This involves working with international partners and organisations to build law enforcement capacity in Afghanistan to interdict opiates and undermine those criminal organisations engaged in drug trafficking. The international effort is also directed towards eradicating opium poppy and creating alternative livelihoods for Afghan opium farmers.
The UK has also sought to assist drug interdiction efforts of Afghanistan's neighbours. The FCO's Drugs and Crime Fund provided anti-narcotics assistance of around £1.5 million in 2000–01 to Iran, Pakistan and the Central Asian Republics. We have also provided assistance to Balkan countries through which heroin is trafficked from Afghanistan.
Colombia, Peru and Bolivia together produce virtually all of the world's cocaine. The UK is working closely with the Governments of each of these states to tackle the problem by supporting projects to build local law enforcement capability. Current projects include the provision of training and equipment in all three countries.