§ Mr. Sackvilleasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what information he has on trends in deployment of police during the last five years in dealing with the problem of drug-related crime.
§ Mr. HurdThe precise deployment of his officers is a matter for each chief officer of police and this information is not readily available in the form requested. I understand, however, that the number of officers deployed in force drugs squads has been increasing over the last five years to meet this growing problem. Officers of the regional crime squads are also deployed, where necessary, to help forces in the investigation of drugs offences.