HC Deb 19 January 1998 vol 304 cc379-80W
Mr. Gordon Prentice

To 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. Michael

This 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.

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 Prentice

To 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. Michael

The 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.