§ John MannTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many visits have been made by his Department's officials or ministers to look at drugs treatment in(a) Sweden, (b) France, (c) Australia, (d) the Netherlands and (e) USA in the last six years. [147764]
§ Miss Melanie Johnson[holding answer 13 January 2004]: Departmental officials have had occasion to visit Sweden, Australia and the Netherlands to look at their drug treatment systems within the last six years Most regular contact is maintained through the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction in Lisbon, Portugal, where Departmental officials meet with colleagues from other countries two to three times a year.