HC Deb 16 May 1996 vol 277 cc526-7W
Mr. Alex Carlile

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement as to the estimated percentage of non-drug offences which arise from, or are connected with, the misuse of drugs by male offenders in the 14 to 21 years age group. [29391]

Mr. Sackville

It is not currently possible to estimate with any accuracy the percentage of drug-related crime committed by male offenders in the 14 to 21 years age group.

Mr. Carlile

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what research his Department has commissioned concerning the relationship between the misuse of illegal drugs and other non-drug offences; and if he will make a statement. [29392]

Mr. Sackville

Research has been commissioned by the Home Office into the nature and incidence of drug-related crime, and projects currently in progress include interviewing and testing people arrested by the police to establish the extent of their drug misuse, obtaining information on how crack-cocaine addicts fund their habits and the impact of treatment programmes on offending behaviour.