§ Baroness WOOTTON of ABINGERasked Her Majesty's Government:
In how many cases, since the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 came into force, the maximum penalty of 14 years' imprisonment has been imposed for an offence under the Act.
§ Lord HARRIS of GREENWICHThe Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 came fully into force on 1st July 1973. From that date until the end of 1975, the maximum penalty of 14 years' imprisonment was not imposed for any offence under the Act. (The Act does not cover unlawful import and export which are dealt with under the Customs and Excise Act 1952). Information relating to 1976 is not yet available.