§ Mr. FlynnTo ask the Lord President of the Council, if the group studying solutions for the drugs problem is free to recommend decriminalising cannabis.
§ Mr. NewtonThe central drugs co-ordination unit's remit is to ensure that departmental policies on drug misuse are planned, developed and implemented within a clear strategic framework and to devise an effective basis for local co-ordination of action against the drugs problem. Individual Government Departments remain responsible for their own policies to tackle drug misuse. My right hon. and learned Friend the Home Secretary has already made it clear that the Government have no intention of decriminalising or legalising any currently banned drug.
§ Mr. FlynnTo ask the Lord President of the Council, when he expects the group in his Department studying drugs to present the report.
§ Mr. NewtonThe Government expect to publish in the autumn, a consultative document which will set out a strategic framework for tackling drug misuses in England.