HC Deb 15 October 2002 vol 390 cc602-3W
Matthew Taylor

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the total quantity of Class A drugs targeted on the UK for financial year 2001–02; and if he will make a statement. [74778]

John Healey

The National Criminal Intelligence Service United Kingdom Threat Assessment of Serious and Organised Crime 2002, estimates that in the region of 30 metric tonnes of heroin and up to 40 metric tonnes of cocaine are smuggled into the UK each year. There are no estimates for other Class A drugs such as ecstasy.

Matthew Taylor

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will place the results of the research programme on the dynamics of the UK and international drugs market undertaken by Customs and Excise in the Library; and if he will make a statement. [74779]

John Healey

This research programme resulted in a number of confidential threat assessments which are covered by Exemption 2 (Internal discussion and advice) of theCode of Practice on Access to Government Information and it would not be appropriate to publish them. To the extent that the information is publishable it is contained in the National Criminal Intelligence Service Threat Assessment of Serious and Organised Crime 2002, to which HM Customs and Excise contributed. I have arranged for a copy to be placed in the Library of the House.

David Davis

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer on how many occasions(a) ministers and (b) Treasury officials have met Mr. Patrick Butcher, former Finance Director of London Underground, since 1997; and what was discussed at each meeting. [74444]

Mr. Boateng

Treasury Ministers and officials meet a wide variety of people to discuss a wide range of issues.