HC Deb 19 June 1998 vol 314 cc340-1W
Mr. Cox

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many(a) men and (b) women have been convicted of drug dealing in England and Wales in the last 12 months. [46974]

Mr. George Howarth

1996 is the latest year for which figures are available. During that year, 5,769 men in England and Wales were found guilty of possession with intent to supply drugs unlawfully, and a further 3,668 of the unlawful supply of drugs (these two offences are normally taken to equate to drug `dealing'). The relevant numbers of women convicted were 807 and 532 respectively.