§ 13. Mr. WilkinsonTo ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if she has met Government Ministers from south American countries to co-ordinate international anti-drug policies. [148778]
§ Marjorie MowlamThe United Kingdom is active throughout Latin America in supporting the efforts that countries there are making to combat drugs and poverty.
185WLast year I visited Colombia and Brazil where I discussed with the Presidents of both countries how we can help in addressing the problems of illicit drug production and trafficking in these countries.
The UK also plays an active role in the EU/Latin America/Caribbean Action Plan on Drugs and Co-ordination and Co-operation Mechanism.
§ 17. Helen JonesTo ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what progress is being made in international efforts to combat the drugs trade. [148785]
§ Marjorie MowlamThe UK is active in international forums, including the UN, G8 and EU, to strengthen the global framework for tackling illicit drugs trafficking. In the year 2000 we were the third largest donor to the United Nations International Drug Control Programme. Ministers and the UK Anti-Drugs Co-ordinator have also been active in supporting anti-drugs efforts in some of the countries which have the most serious problems with the production or transit of illegal drugs.
Progress is being seen in increased seizures of heroin and cocaine en-route to the UK/EU, and increased disruption of criminal groups involved in trafficking.