§ 32. Mr. Charles WardleTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on recent progress in the co-ordination of the international fight against drug trafficking.
§ Mr. SainsburySeventy four states, including the United Kingdom, have now signed the 1988 United Nations convention against illicit traffic in narcotic drugs and pyschotropic substances. The United Kingdom has signed bilateral agreements or arrangements to trace, freeze and confiscate the proceeds of drugs trafficking with 11 countries, the latest with Malaysia on 17 October.
§ 54. Rev. Martin SmythTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about international efforts to combat drug abuse.
§ Mr. SainsburyTogether with other countries the United Kindgom is providing substantial assistance to Colombia. I attended a Caribbean ministerial drugs conference in Kingston from 2–4 October. Drugs were discussed at the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in Kuala Lumpur. I shall make a statement on United Kingdom drugs policy during the United Nations General Assembly drugs debate 3–7 November. A proposed United Nations special session on drugs is likely to be held early in 1990. The United Kingdom will host an international conference on demand reduction and cocaine in April 1990. We are discussing with our European Community partners ways of improving EC co-ordination on drugs.
§ Mr. CohenTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received from the Colombian Government concerning the activities of British mercenaries working for drug barons; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. SainsburyAs my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs made clear when he met the Colombian Foreign Minister, Sr. Londoño, in New York on 26 September, we condemn unequivocally and unreservedly the activities of those who work for drugs traffickers in Colombia. It is primarily for the Colombian authorities to take action in respect of486W offences committed in Colombia. We remain in close touch with the Colombian authorities on this issue. President Barco has thanked us for the help which we have extended in this matter.
§ Mr. ButlerTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to help the British dependent territories in their fight against the trade in narcotics.
§ Mr. SainsburyWe are very active in assisting local governments in the dependent territories, particularly those in the Caribbean, in their fight against the trade in narcotics. Following a survey of the Caribbean dependent territories conducted in 1986 we took steps to establish or strengthen drugs squads in the local police forces through the provision of United Kingdom personnel and equipment. In addition, a United Kingdom Customs training adviser has been running drugs awareness courses and a United Kingdom drugs intelligence officer has been establishing drugs intelligence registries in each of the territories. A new police launch was provided for the British Virgin Islands Government in 1988 and similar launches will be provided for Anguilla, Montserrat and Turks and Caicos Islands over the next six months. Training for the crews will be given by a United Kingdom team of experts.
In July/August a team of United Kingdom experts completed a further survey of the drugs problem in the Caribbean dependent territories to assess the present situation and to make recommendations for further action. We are currently considering this report in consultation with our Governors and local administrations.