§ Mr. CohenTo ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what assessment the UK Anti-Drugs Co-ordinator has made of the extent to which nightclub security firms(a) are involved in the drugs trade and (b) restrict the trade in drugs; and if she will make a statement. [124099]
§ Mr. Ian McCartneyThe UK Anti-Drugs Co-ordinator has not made any such assessments. The Police Research Group report, "Clubs, Drugs and Doormen" published in 1998, highlighted how serious a problem drugs could be in clubs when door staff are involved in drug dealing. The Co-ordinator has held meetings with parties involved in this sector and has encouraged the work of industry bodies such as the British Entertainment and Discotheque Association and partnerships between local authorities, the police, Drug Action Teams, venue managers and owners to disrupt the selling of drugs in venues, improve the standard of security staff and club mangers, and challenge the corrupting influence which drug dealing can have on door supervision, and supported their efforts to ensure that dance events are as safe and well organised as possible. The Anti-Drugs Co-ordinator supports the Government's proposed legislation to regulate the private security industry, including the licensing of security staff employment in night clubs and similar premises.
Dismissal/discharge 1994–95 to 1998–99 by cause of dismissal Number of staff dismissed/discharged Proportion of staff dismissed/discharged (percentage) Year All Inefficiency Disciplinary All Inefficiency Disciplinary 1994–95 880 550 330 0.18 0.11 0.07 1995–96 750 400 350 0.16 0.08 0.08 1996–97 870 450 420 0.19 0.10 0.09 1997–98 650 350 300 0.15 0.08 0.07 1998–99 590 300 290 0.14 0.07 0.07 Source:
Mandate and Cabinet Office estimates