§ Lord Harris of Greenwichasked Her Majesty's Government:
What steps are being taken to improve criminal intelligence co-operation between police forces in the European Community; and what is the timescale for any such steps.
The Minister of State, Home Office (Earl Ferrers)Co-operation between police forces in the European Community is fostered through Trevi, which provides a forum for discussion of practical police matters including criminal intelligence. Following the European Council meeting in Luxembourg in June 1991, consideration has been given to the establishment of "Europol", which will be a co-ordinating body for intelligence on serious crime which poses a threat to member states collectively. This work is being carried out under the auspices of Trevi, by a Working Group chaired by the United Kingdom. A programme of work has been approved which envisages the setting up of a Europol Drugs Unit by the end of 1992 and, at the same time, consideration of what other areas of criminality might be dealt with by Europol under subsequent development beyond 1992.