§ Mr. RathboneTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he intends to publish the policy statement produced by the Northern Ireland committee on drug misuse; and what proposals are planned based on that policy. [2137]
§ Sir John WheelerArrangements are in hand for publication of the policy statement of the Northern Ireland committee on drug misuse before Christmas. I have established a new top level central co-ordinating group for action against drugs, of which I am chairman. The group comprises senior representatives from Northern Ireland Government Departments, the medical profession and the Royal Ulster Constabulary. It will ensure that each Government Department in Northern Ireland is playing its full part to combat the drugs problem and that their action plans are driven forward in a co-ordinated manner and build the recommendations of the policy statement.