§ Lord Aveburyasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will propose to the European Union that concerted measures be taken against drug tourism, building on the methods developed by the United Kingdom and Jamaican authorities. [HL650]
§ The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean)The UK co-operates with other EU member states in our fight against drug trafficking throughout the Caribbean, including against air passengers ("mules") smuggling small quantities of cocaine. The EU/Latin America and Caribbean mechanism on drugs co-operation is the main forum for keeping other member states engaged and promoting more effective action in the Caribbean.
In addition, we regularly exchange best practice with other member states' and international partners' police and counter-narcotics agencies. This has included recent successes we have had working with the Jamaican Government to reduce the number of "mules" coming to the UK.