§ Mr. BercowTo ask the Solicitor-General on how many occasions the Attorney General's power to appeal 113W against unduly lenient sentences has been exercised in respect of the offences listed in the Criminal Justice Act 1988 (Reviews of Sentencing) Order 2000 (S.I., 2000, No. 1924); what the outcome was in each completed case; how many cases are pending; and if he will make a statement. [147446]
§ 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 s6(2) of the Misuse of Drugs Act and offences contrary to the Customs and Management Act 1979 in connection with a prohibition or restriction on importation or exportation of a controlled drug within section 2 of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. One offender has been referred to the Court of Appeal since August. The case has not yet been heard. There are no other pending cases.