§ Mr. JenkinTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he will list the dedicated counter-narcotics activities of the British armed forces and the costs of these activities in each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement; [67562]
717W(2) what quantities of narcotics have been confiscated by HM forces in each of the past five years. [67563]
§ Mr. IngramThere are no military assets dedicated to counter narcotics activities and consequently no cost directly attributable to the Ministry of Defence. Military forces are, however, made available upon request, when operational commitments and resources allow, to support the counter drugs activities of the law enforcement agencies. Any additional costs for this support are reimbursed by the agency concerned.
Counter narcotics operations requiring military support resulted in the seizure of drugs valued at £2.3 billion in 1999–2000 and £40 million in 2001–02. There were no seizures resulting from operations involving military support in 1997–98, 1998–99 or 2000–01.