§ Matthew TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many times the United 893W Kingdom Anti-Drugs Co-ordinator held meetings with members and officials of the United States Government between 18 February 2000 and 3 August 2001; when and where each of these meetings took place; and which (a) United States Government departments and (b) members and officials of the United States Government were involved in each meeting; [43447]
(2) how many times the United Kingdom Anti-Drugs Co-ordinator has held meetings with members and officials of the United States Government since 3 August 2001; when and where each of these meetings took place; and which (a) United States Government departments and (b) members and officials of the United States Government were involved in each meeting. [43446]
§ Mr. Bob AinsworthBetween 18 February 2000 and 3 August 2001 the former United Kingdom Anti-Drugs Co-ordinator held meetings in his office with members and officials of the United States (US) Government on three occasions as follows:
On 18 February 2000 he met Wendy Chamberlain, Principal Deputy Assistant for International Narcotics Law Enforcement Affairs in the US together with Mike McManamon, Drugs Enforcement Agency (DEA) Attachè and George Dragnich, Counsellor for Labor and Social Affairs from the US Embassy in London;
on 23 August 2000 he met Congressman John Mica, together with Mike McManamon and Sharon Pinkerton, Mr Mica's assistant;on 6 March 2001 he met George Dragnich and Su Zann Lamb, Justice and Home Affairs Liaison Officer at the US Embassy London.Following the election last year, responsibility for delivering the National Drugs Strategy transferred to the Home Secretary. Since 3 August 2001, my right hon. Friend, the Home Secretary has met with John Ashcroft, United States (US) Attorney General (11–12 December 2001) and James Sensenbrenner, Chair of the House of Representatives Judiciary Committee (17–18 January 2002). Both meetings took place in London.
Keith Hellawell, who is now employed part time as the Home Secretary's expert adviser on drugs, has met only one official from the United States Government since 3 August 2001. The official was Keith Eddins who is employed as the US First Secretary covering Justice and Home Affairs issues at the US Embassy in the Czech Republic. The meeting took place at the British Embassy in Prague on Wednesday 20 February 2002.