§ Mr. Andrew TurnerTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make it his policy that the unlawful possession of a significant quantity of a controlled drug should constitute prima facie evidence of intent to supply; and if he will make a statement. [34778]
§ Mr. Bob AinsworthThe intent to supply may be proved in a number of ways, for example by the circumstances, an admission, or the evidence of a witness. The quantity of the drug found is often an important consideration, but it is not always conclusive; drug dealers do not always carry large quantities. The Government and the police believe that the circumstances of the arrest are more important and that introducing a threshold would limit the effectiveness of enforcement action against drug dealers.