Drug Supply Offender Order Proposal (Hansard, 4 February 1999)

§ The Minister of State, Home Office (Lord Williams of Mostyn)

An undertaking was given during the passage of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 to consult on the proposal to introduce a drug supply offender protection order. A consultation paper was issued on 23 June, copies of which were placed in the Library, together with a list of the organisations to which it was sent.

The proposal would enable magistrates, on application, to impose an order requiring anyone convicted or cautioned of a drug supply offence in this country or overseas to refrain from any act if that was considered necessary to protect the public from the supply of drugs.

The consultation exercise has revealed little support for such an order. The overwhelming view expressed is that the present legislation is adequate and that the order would have little impact on the present levels of misuse.

This response to the exercise has confirmed our view that there would be no advantage in introducing such an order at present.