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Drug Use

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the report commissioned by him and prepared by Steven Pudney of the University of Leicester on possible links between soft and hard drug use; and if he will make a statement. [95110]

Mr. Bob Ainsworth: Professor Pudney's report, "The Road to Ruin", studied the links between a group of drugs (LSD, amphetamine and cannabis) and subsequent use of heroin, cocaine, ecstasy and crack. It identifies a small but significant link between this group of drugs and cocaine and ecstasy. However the report indicates that there is little relationship between the use of this group and the later involvement with heroin and crack. It does not differentiate between cannabis, amphetamine and LSD (which is a Class A drug) so does not prove the case either way of cannabis as a gateway drug.

The findings of the report show that social, economic and family circumstances seem to be the dominant influences on young people's risk of becoming involved in crime and the most harmful drugs. We know that some young people are at particular risk of developing problems with substance misuse. That is why the Government is committed to helping those who are most at risk of developing drug problems through an improved range of early intervention and prevention programmes, which includes education and diversionary activities aimed at young people in high crime areas.

The other key influence on drug use identified in the report is the impact on individuals of the growing social acceptance of drug use and availability of supply. The Government is committed to tackling the social acceptance of drug use through ensuring that all young people and their parents understand the risks and dangers of drugs and know where to go for advice or help. A major new campaign will be launched this spring to drive home the risks of drugs, based on credible information on the dangers of all drugs and encourage young people and their parents to seek further information and advice where necessary. It is important that the message that all illegal drugs are harmful is clear, consistent and widely heard. The updated national drug strategy gives a stronger focus on education and prevention for young people. This means we must also make illegal drugs harder to obtain and tackle the supply at all levels. We will heavily penalise those caught dealing in any drugs, increase the recovery of drug-related criminal assets and strengthen

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enforcement at a local level. Class A drugs damage the lives of individuals, families and communities. That is why the updated national drug strategy has a tougher focus on Class A drugs.

Empty Homes

Mr. Clifton-Brown : To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many empty homes his Department (a) had five years ago and (b) has now, by region; if he will establish an empty homes strategy within his Department; and if he will set a target for reduction in empty homes. [92934]

Beverley Hughes: As at 1 April 1998 the Prison Service had 161 empty homes out of a total of 1,625. The number in each region is not known. There was an additional vacant property at the Emergency Planning College, which is now the responsibility of the Cabinet Office.

As at 24 January 2003 the Prison Service had three empty homes out of a total of 599. These are located in Leeds, Hertfordshire and London and have been vacant for less than six months.

All homes, whether empty or occupied, are under constant review. Generally homes which become vacant are not re-let but are sold on the open market. Consideration is being given to the reintroduction and extension of a scheme under which eligible occupiers are able to buy their homes. However, due to recruitment and retention problems in London and the south-east accommodation in these areas is being retained and in some cases converted for multiple occupation. These properties are re-let on a short-term basis, which will not normally exceed multiples of six months.

Experience Corps

Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people are members of the Experience Corps scheme; and how many have left. [95509]

Beverley Hughes: As at 31 December 2002, figures supplied by Experience Corps state that they had 79,145 members of which 75,028 had been placed and that they have removed the details of 2,983 members from their database since the programme began.

Infanticidal Mothers

Mr. George Osborne : To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans the Criminal Cases Review Commission has to review the cases of mothers convicted of murdering their infant children. [95591]

Hilary Benn: Generally, the Commission can only examine the cases of those who apply to it.Whilst there are exceptions to this, such as the Commission approaching the convicted co-defendants of an applicant whose case merits a referral, this would not extend to examining whole categories of cases such as mothers convicted of murdering their infant children. The Commission publicises its work and the need for applications. Its information pack and audio and videotapes are circulated to Prisons and the Commission has attended prison information days at Her Majesty's Prison Holloway.

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Factors such as the age and ill health of applicants and witnesses, and the possibility of the deterioration of evidence are taken into account in assigning priority to applications to the Commission. Priority is also assigned to cases that the Commission believes to be of particular significance to the criminal justice system. Otherwise applications are generally reviewed in date order of receipt, with in-custody cases generally being assigned one year of priority over at-liberty cases.The application of Sally Clark was given priority under this system.

Misuse of Drugs Act

Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish the responses he has received to the consultation on the draft guidelines in implementing the changes to section 8 of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 made by section 38 of the Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001. [96237]

Mr. Bob Ainsworth [holding answer 6 February 2003]: In line with Cabinet Office Guidance on written consultations, a summary of the views expressed in the consultation on draft guidelines will be published alongside the decision made in the light of that consultation. Individual responses will be made available to anyone who asks for them providing the respondent has not sought confidentiality.

Passports

Dr. Starkey: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many individuals claimed their new passports were lost in the post in 2002; in how many of those cases the Passport Agency issued a replacement passport; and what discussions the Passport Agency has had with the Post Office to ensure new passports are not mislaid in the post. [96187]

Beverley Hughes: The UK Passport Service's records indicate that 2,982 passports were reported as having been lost in the post in the calendar year January to December 2002. Replacement passports would have been issued in response to almost all of these reports.

The UK Passport Service has on-going and regular discussions with the Royal Mail about the loss of passports in the post and about options for delivery which might reduce the number of losses. They work together on investigations into the disappearance of passports in the postal system.

The UK Passport Service issues around 5.5 million passports annually and the vast majority arrive safely at their destination using first class mail. Also, the digital passport contains advanced security features which makes it extremely difficult to manipulate and is of limited value in the hands of somebody other than the rightful holder. Nevertheless losses in the post remain a concern to the UK Passport Service and it is actively investigating alternative, more secure and convenient methods of delivering passports to its customers. It hopes to reach a business decision on this shortly.

Press Releases

Mr. Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many press releases have been issued

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by his Department in each (a) year and (b) quarter from 1995–96 to 2002–03; and if he will make a statement. [92443]

Mr. Blunkett: The number of press releases issued each year by the Department was:

	Number
1995	308
1996	404
1997	386
1998	524
1999	450
2000	472
2001	(41)404
2002	480
2003	37 (in January)

⁽⁴¹⁾ Press notices for the Prison Service are included in this total from May 2001.

Notes:

1. These figures include press notices issued on behalf of the Prisons, Police, Probation and Fire Inspectorates.

2. Quarterly figures for the past seven years could be supplied only at disproportionate cost.

Surveillance Commissioner

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he is taking to respond to the observations on the powers of the police to undertake surveillance made by the Surveillance Commissioner in paragraph 8.9 of his Annual Report (HC 68); and if he will make a statement. [95557]

Mr. Blunkett: It is for Chief Constables to implement the recommendations made following inspections by a Surveillance Commissioner. The Chief Surveillance Commissioner can, if necessary, report to my right hon .Friend the Prime Minister (Mr .Blair) on any failure to implement recommendations.

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will introduce legislation to remove the powers of parish councils to undertake surveillance as recommended by the Surveillance Commissioner in paragraph 8.14.13 of his annual report (HC 68); and if he will make a statement. [95562]

Mr. Blunkett: Yes.

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will take steps to review the draft Codes of Practice which relate to surveillance to take account of the observations made by the Surveillance Commissioner in paragraph 9.2 of his Annual Report (HC 68); and if he will make a statement. [95563]

Mr. Blunkett: The draft codes became statutory codes of practice on 1 August 2002.The statutory codes take account of the comments made by the Chief Surveillance Commissioner.

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he is taking to address the observations on NHS Scotland, made by the Surveillance Commissioner in paragraph 8.12 of his Annual Report (HC 68); and if he will make a statement. [95564]

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Mr. Blunkett: Surveillance activities by National Health Service (NHS) Scotland are governed by the Regulation of Investigatory Powers (Scotland) Act 2000. The Chief Surveillance Commissioner has written to the First Minister in Scotland about the issues raised in his Annual Report (HC 68).

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