§ Mr. BercowTo ask the Solicitor-General on how many occasions since 21 August he has referred to the Court of Appeal sentences imposed for drug trafficking. [137885]
The Solicitor-GeneralWith effect from 21 August 2000 the Attorney-General was given the power to refer sentences passed in the Crown court for drugs trafficking offences. These include offences of production or supply of controlled drugs contrary to ss.4(2) and (3) of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, cultivation of cannabis contrary to s.6(2) of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1979 in connection with a prohibition or restriction on importation or exportation of a controlled drug within s.2 of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. The Attorney-General has just referred the first case under these provisions to the Court of Appeal.