§ Mr. FlynnTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of the cash value of the illegal drugs trade within the United Kingdom; and what assessment he has made of its impact on the United Kingdom economy. [50658]
§ Mrs. Liddell[holding answer 16 July 1998]: The Office for National Statistics published an article in the July 1998 edition of Economic Trends which provides some illustrative estimates of the value of illegal economic activities, including trade in drugs. A copy of this publication is available in the House of Commons Library. The estimates are not yet sufficiently developed to give a reliable account of the impact on the UK economy.