§ Jeremy CorbynTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the level of consumption of Khat in the UK; what plans he has to(a) control and (b) reduce Khat consumption; and if he will make a statement. [127515]
§ Caroline FlintThere are no centrally collected figures for the level of cat (or Khat) consumption, but Her Majesty's Customs and Excise estimates that between seven and 10 tonnes of the plant are imported into the United Kingdom each week.
60WThe Government has no plans at present to control Khat under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, but the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs, which advises on these matters, keeps its legal status under review. The Home Office's Drugs and Alcohol Research Unit is shortly to embark on a detailed study to assess the level of harm caused by Khat. It is expected that a final report will be completed in September 2004, with interim findings being available in April 2004. The report will inform future decisions on whether Khat should be controlled within the 1971 Act.
The Government is considering ways to address the problems of Khat misuse as part of a wider diversity initiative to ensure that the national drug strategy meets the needs of all our communities. This will include the development of appropriate drug prevention materials and information to raise awareness about the Khat misuse.