HC Deb 14 July 1986 vol 101 cc336-7W
Mr. Tony Banks

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the relationship between the central drugs squad and the divisional squads; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Giles Shaw

The Metropolitan Police central drugs squad investigates large-scale drug offences. Divisional drug squads are being replaced by area drug squads under the command of the area deputy assistant commissioners and tasked to disrupt middle level drugs dealings.

Mr. Tony Banks

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the relationship between the central drugs squad and the national drugs intelligence unit.

Mr. Giles Shaw

The national drugs intelligence unit provides drugs intelligence to police and customers througout the country. The central drugs squad, which investigates large-scale drugs crime, is both a user and a provider of this intelligence.

Mr. Tony Banks

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) when the central drugs squad was established; what was its original establishment size and what has been the central establishment of both civilian and uniformed personnel each year since its creation;

(2) if he will provide a breakdown by rank of the officers in the central drugs squad, the national drugs intelligence unit and the divisional drugs squads;

(3) how may drugs raids were carried out by the district—divisional drugs squads in each year since 1979;

(4) how many drugs raids were completed by the central drugs squad in each year since 1979;

(5) if he will detail the number of prosecutions in respect of offences relating to each listed and prohibited drug within the Metropolitan police district for each of the past five years;

(6) how many black and Asian personnel are employed in the central, national intelligence and divisional drug squads;

(7) how many weeks' training are given to officers in (a) the central drugs squad, (b) the national drugs intelligence unit and (c) the divisional drugs squads;

(8) what was the total amount of (a) cannabis, (b) heroin, (e) cocaine and (d) LSD, seized by police officers in the Metropolitan police area for each of the past five years.

Mr. Giles Shaw

The information requested is not readily available. I shall provide such information as is available as soon as possible.

Mr. Tony Banks

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) for the most convenient recent period, what was the percentage of referrals for investigation of drug offences emanating from (a) the police, (b) the public and (c) other agencies and institutions in the Metropolitan police area;

(2) if he will estimate the number of Metropolitan police working hours spent on drugs-related investigations in the past 12 months;

(3) if he will estimate the number of Metropolitan police officers involved in drug raids during the past 12 months;

(4) what personnel are employed by the Metropolitan police on maintaining liaison between the drugs squads and Customs and Excise officers.

Mr. Giles Shaw

I will reply as soon as possible.