§ Mr. HainTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what will be the level of funding for drugs initiatives in West Glamorgan in 1995–96 provided by(a) the Welsh Office and (b) the Home Office.
§ Mr. RichardsThe funding of local initiatives to combat drug misuse in Wales are the responsibilities of the local agencies involved. Following the recommendations of the efficiency scrutiny of health promotion in Wales, central Welsh Office resources of some £2.3 million were added to the allocations of Welsh district health authorities from 1 April 1994.
Home Office funding is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary.
§ Mr. HainTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) how many people are employed in his drugs and alcohol unit;
(2) what is the budget for this drugs and alcohol unit for 1994–95 and 1995–96.
§ Mr. RichardsMy right hon. Friend announced on the 19 October that he was setting up a drugs and alcohol unit. Action is in hand to identify and recruit staff to it. The unit will have access to a budget of £333,000 in 1994–95. Provision for 1995–96 has not yet been finalised.
§ Mr. LlwydTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what initiatives are being pursued to educate young people about the effects of substance abuse and drug taking; what is the current budget; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. RichardsI refer the hon. Member to the replies that I gave him on 26 October 1994,Official Report, columns 658–60.
§ Mr. HansonTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what sums of money divested from the Welsh Office budget in the current year down to the local health authorities aimed specifically at the prevention of drug abuse.
§ Mr. RichardsThe Welsh Office has provided local health authorities with a total of more than £2,300,000 aimed at combating drug misuse.