§ Mr. Murphyasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on Her Majesty's Government's contribution to the Council of Europe's moves to increase international co-operation in combating drugs, making special reference to the Pompidou group.
§ Mr. MellorThe United Kingdom plays a very active part in stimulating European co-operation on drugs issues through its chairmanship of the Council of Europe co-operation group to combat drug abuse and illicit trafficking in drugs (the Pompidou group). We have obtained agreement to a meeting of the group at ministerial level to be held next January, in order to give further impetus to its work. That meeting will also provide a valuable opportunity to follow-up any recommendations which emerge from the discussion of the penal aspects of drug abuse and control by Council of Europe Justice Ministers at their conference in Oslo on 17–19 June.