§ Mr. Alex CarlileTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the current annual cost to his Department of the addict index; what other drug databases his Department operates; what plans he has to ensure the continuing viability of the addict index; and if he will make a statement. [14243]
518W
§ Mr. Sackville[holding answer 12 February 1996]The estimated cost of the addicts index for 1995–96 is approximately £282,000. The Home Office collates information on police and customs drug seizures and court proceedings for drug-related offences from the drugs self-report component of the British crime survey—being developed as a new indicator of the prevalence of drug misuse—and on companies licensed to trade in drugs controlled under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.