HC Deb 05 April 1984 vol 57 cc663-4W
Mr. McNamara

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will give a breakdown of United States service men based in the United Kingdom charged with drugs offences in each year since 1978 indicating for each year (a) how many were dealt with by United States military authorities, (b) how many were dealt with by the British courts, (c) how many United States service men were returned to the United States of America as a result of these offences and (d) how many of these offences involved hard drugs.

Mr. Stanley

The information requested in(a), (c) and (d) is not available in my Department. Information about cases coming before British courts is a matter for my right hon. and learned Friend the Home Secretary.

Mr. McNamara

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many United States service men involved with nuclear weaponry and equipment at (a) Royal Air Force stations, (b) the United States naval base at Holy Loch and (c) other naval bases have been charged with drug offences since 1978.

Mr. Stanley

The information requested is not available in my Department.

Mr. McNamara

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will give a breakdown between the branches of the armed services of the United States of America of those who have been charged with drug offences in the United Kingdom for each year since 1978.

Mr. Stanley

Information about cases coming before British courts is a matter for my right hon. and learned Friend the Home Secretary.

Mr. McNamara

asked the Secretary of State for Defence on how many occasions in each year since 1978 the Visiting Forces Act 1952 has been invoked, in order to prevent United States service men being charged by the British authorities with drugs offences; and if he will list in each case the branch of the United States armed forces and the name of the base concerned.

Mr. Stanley

[pursuant to his reply, 29 March 1984, c. 297–98]: This information is not available either in my Department or in the Home Office. Rights of primary jurisdiction are in any event reserved to the United States authorities in the circumstances of section 3 of the Visiting Forces Act 1952.