§ Mr. WigginTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps the Government are taking to reduce the amount of cocaine reaching the UK from(a) Colombia and (b) the remainder of South America; and if he will make a statement. [122003]
§ Mr. RammellThe UK maintains an active dialogue on drugs trafficking with Colombia and other coca producing countries and transit countries in South America and the Caribbean. In financial year 2002–03, the FCO's Drugs and Crime Fund provided over £5 million in counter-narcotics related assistance to priority countries in the region including Colombia. Projects included funding for Her Majesty's Customs and Excise drug law enforcement training, provision of drug detection equipment and contributions to various United Nations Office for Drugs and Crime projects.