§ Lord Melchettasked Her Majesty's Government:
How many people appeared at Uxbridge magistrates' court in the last 12 months charged with the importation of drugs; which firms of solicitors represented them and how many legal aid certificates were issued in respect of the defendants represented by each of those firms.
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (Lord Belstead)In 1979, the last 12 month period for which records are available to me, 582 persons were proceeded against at Uxbridge magistrates' court for offences of importation of drugs controlled under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. The information requested about the solicitors who represented them and the number of legal aid orders made is not collected centrally, but the Lord Chancellor will write to the noble Lord.