§ Mr. FlynnTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the Advisory Council for the Misuse of Drugs is expected to report on the Police Foundation's inquiry into the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. [125995]
§ Mr. Charles ClarkeFurther to the reply I gave my hon. Friend on 8 May 2000,Official Report, column 298W, I understand that the Advisory Council had a short discussion on the Police Foundation's Report at its meeting on 25 May. The Council noted that the Government had made it clear that they were not persuaded that the classification or overall legal framework for LSD, ecstasy or cannabis should be changed, but would be giving careful consideration to the other recommendations arising from the Police Foundation's Inquiry.
The Council also noted that the United Kingdom Anti-Drugs Co-ordinator, Keith Hellawell, is to chair an inter-departmental working group to consider the other recommendations of the Police Foundation Inquiry's Report. I understand that the working group plans to provide a progress report to Ministers later this summer. It is not possible to speculate at this stage whether the consideration by the inter-departmental working group will lead the Government to seek the views of the Advisory Council on any of the recommendations being considered. However, under provisions in the misuse of drugs legislation, the Advisory Council would need to be consulted on any proposed amendments to the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.