§ Mr. Gordon PrenticeTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on what dates officers from the Metropolitan Police travelled to Paris to interview staff at the Ritz in connection with the alleged perjury of Mr. Jonathan Aitken. [23112]
§ Mr. MichaelThis investigation is an operational matter for the Commissioner. However, he tells me that two officers from the Metropolitan Police travelled to Paris on 12 January 1998 in connection with this investigation.
380W
Table 1: Number of offenders convicted of offences of supply, importation1 and production of a Class A controlled drug by result, 1993–96 England and Wales Immediate custody Offence Year Cautioned Total sentenced Non-custodial sentences Determinate sentences Life sentences Total sentenced and cautioned Supply of a Class A controlled drug 1993 91 740 267 473 — 831 1994 84 796 270 529 — 880 1995 70 952 251 701 — 1,022 1996 73 1,306 309 995 — 1,379 Importation1 1993 6 1,156 381 777 — 1,162 1994 5 1,179 840 836 — 1,184 1995 7 1,025 288 736 — 1,032 1996 7 1,129 260 869 — 1,136 Production of Class A controlled drug 1993 25 34 25 9 — 59 1994 48 44 34 10 — 92 1995 58 59 38 22 — 117 1996 15 57 43 15 — 72 1 Importation of any controlled drug—cannot identify by class type.
§ Mr. Gordon PrenticeTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis to conclude his investigation into the alleged perjury of Jonathan Aitken. [21606]
§ Mr. MichaelThe Commissioner informs me that inquiries are continuing. These inquiries have been protracted due to the legal necessity to seek evidence from foreign jurisdictions. The investigation is being pursued as expeditiously as possible and will be concluded as soon as practicable. This investigation is an operational matter for the Commissioner.