§ Mr. John MarshallTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what measures are being taken to tackle the drugs trade in the Caribbean.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydThe United Kingdom is active in promoting effective measures to tackle the drugs trade in the Caribbean, especially in the dependent territories. We have provided practical help, training and technical advice214W to enable countries to address every aspect of the threat. We have also recently undertaken a survey of drug trafficking and abuse problems in the anglophone eastern Caribbean. The survey makes a number of recommendations including: the provision of specialist equipment to the Trinidad and Tobago drugs squad; the appointment of a regional customs adviser and training officer; and advisory visits by the United Kingdom demand reduction task force. The action we are taking to implement these recommendations is a demonstration of Her Majesty's Government's continuing commitment to help the countries of the region deal with the scourge of drugs.