HC Deb 24 May 2002 vol 386 cc717-20W
Mr. Laws

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what co-operation is in place between his Department and the police service in Jamaica to reduce the amount of illegal drugs being smuggled into the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement. [56534]

Year (as at 31 March) Number of Police Officers
1989–90 118,759
1990–91 119,033
1991–92 119,099
1992–93 119,621
1993–94 119,365
1994–95 118,827
1995–96 118,405
1996–97 118,459
1997–98 118,091
1998–99 117,195
1999–2000 115,324
2000–01 116,440
2001–02 (30 September 2001) 117,835

Mr. Bob Ainsworth

[holding Answer 21 May 2002]I had discussions with the Minister of National Security and the Commissioner of the Jamaica Constabulary Force during my visit to Jamaica in April 2002. There is already close co-operation between the Jamaica Constabulary Force and the law enforcement authorities in this country and work is in hand to make that co-operation more effective in reducing the volume of drugs being trafficked to the United Kingdom from Jamaica.

My right hon. Friend, the Minister for the Financial Secretary to the Treasury (Mr. Boateng) signed a memorandum of understanding with the Jamaican Government on 22 May. The memorandum provides a number of measures designed to stem the flow of cocaine into United Kingdom on flights from Jamaica.