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13 Jul 2005 : Column 1062W—continued

Drug Imports

Paul Flynn: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what changes have taken place in the level of imports into the UK of (a) heroin, (b) cocaine and (c) cannabis in each year since 1998. [10852]

Dawn Primarolo: The methodologies used to estimate the amounts of illegal drugs imported do not currently enable us to identify year on year changes.

The National Criminal Intelligence Service has previously published estimates of the amounts of heroin and cocaine smuggled into the UK annually. It is likely that imports of heroin and cocaine during the period you refer to fell within the range of these estimates: 25–35 tonnes of heroin and 35–45 tonnes of cocaine. No similar estimates have been produced for cannabis imports.

Reports on the prevalence of the use of illegal drugs during this period suggests that, since 1998, quantities of heroin imported have probably remained broadly stable and amounts of cocaine imported have increased.

In the case of cannabis, research into the UK cannabis market suggests that levels of imports have remained broadly stable or even declined as cultivation within the UK has increased.

Paul Flynn: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what his estimate is of the percentage of imported illegal drugs that have been intercepted by Customs and Excise in each of the past 10 years. [10900]

Dawn Primarolo: The methodologies used to estimate the amounts of illegal drugs imported do not currently enable us to identify year on year changes.

The National Criminal Intelligence Service has previously published estimates of the amounts of heroin and cocaine smuggled into the UK annually. It is likely that imports of heroin and cocaine during the period
 
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you refer to fell within the range of these estimates: 25–35 tonnes of heroin and 35–45 tonnes of cocaine. No similar estimates have been produced for cannabis imports.

Reports on the prevalence of the use of illegal drugs during this period suggests that, since 1998, quantities of heroin imported have probably remained broadly stable and amounts of cocaine imported have increased.
 
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In the case of cannabis, research into the UK cannabis market suggests that levels of imports have remained broadly stable or even declined as cultivation within the UK has increased.

The following table gives details of HM Revenue and Customs seizures of drugs over the 10 years up to 2003–04, the last complete year for which figures are available.
Kgs

Financial yearHeroinCocaineOther Class AEcstasyCannabis
2003–041,62620,7271161,24557,617
2002–032,0708,7674466859,034
2001–021,4896,0751131,33067,061
2000–012,0437,4203051,06041,776
1999–20002,7072,5251,90080077,853
1998–995943,5401,542(7)62,028
1997–981,8212,3561,548(7)80,380
1996–976641,2731,604(7)77,350
1995–961,2497521,016(7)49,811
1994–959061,391994(7)63,677


(7) Not separately recorded


Electoral Numbers

Mr. Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the 50 parliamentary constituencies with the (a) highest and (b) lowest number of electors; and if he will make a statement. [10702]

John Healey: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply. I have placed a copy of his letter in the Library.

English Wine

Mr. Dismore: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will ensure that English wine is made available at dinners, receptions and parties he hosts at which hospitality involving wine is appropriate (a) during the EU presidency and (b) generally; and if he will make a statement. [9157]

Mr. Ivan Lewis: English wine was served at both the G7 Finance Ministers' Meeting in February and the pre-G8 Summit Finance Ministers' Meeting in June. We will endeavour to supply wine from all parts of the United Kingdom, and British produce more generally, at meetings during the presidency of the EU. We are also working with the Council Secretariat to try to provide British produce (as key ingredients) and drink for all ECOFIN Council meetings during the UK presidency in Brussels and Luxembourg.

For other dinners, receptions and parties, British wine and British products are used where possible and appropriate, in line with the EC's procurement rules and achieving value for money for the Department.

Financial Advisers

Mr. Fabian Hamilton: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what criteria are used by the Financial Services Authority to determine whether a financial adviser has mis-sold a financial product. [11457]

Mr. Ivan Lewis: Financial advisers that are authorised by the Financial Services Authority (FSA) are required to comply with the FSA's Conduct of Business Rules with regard to the promotion of financial products. The FSA does not arbitrate on individual complaints made against financial firms.

Government Finance

John Hemming: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what the latest forecast is of Government deficit in financial year 2005–06; and what the forecast deficit for 2005–06 was on each date that a forecast has been made since January 2003; [11298]

(2) what the latest forecast is of Government income in financial year 2005–06; and what the forecast income for 2005–06 was on each date that a forecast has been made since January 2003; [11299]

(3) what the latest estimate is of Government expenditure in financial year 2005–06; and what the forecast expenditure for 2005–06 was on each date that a forecast has been made since January 2003. [11300]

Mr. Ivan Lewis: Latest forecasts for 2005–06 for the Government deficit, Government revenue and total managed expenditure can be found in Tables C4 and C11 in Budget 2005. Earlier forecasts for 2005–06 can be found in Chapter C of previous Budgets and Annex B of earlier pre-Budget reports.

Historic Environment

Mr. Hollobone: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what the Government's policy is on sustaining the historic environment, with particular reference to policy on organisations which work to support the built heritage through (a) grant aid, (b) tax concessions and (c) conditional exemption and acceptance in lieu; [11209]

(2) what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport on (a) the introduction of Historic Properties Maintenance Relief for listed Grade 1 and 2 star buildings open to the public and (b) extension to listed buildings of VAT relief for the costs of repairs. [11210]


 
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Dawn Primarolo [holding answer 12 July 2005]: The Government take their responsibilities to the built heritage very seriously, and for many years successive governments have been making funds available, both directly and through the tax system, to assist with the care, repair and maintenance of historic buildings.

Treasury officials meet their Department for Culture, Media and Sport counterparts regularly to discuss a wide range of issues and the Government are aware of the concerns of the historic environment sector. All taxes are kept under constant review and any changes are considered by the Chancellor as part of the Budget process.

International Finance Facility

Tony Baldry: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the progress of the International Finance Facility following the recent meeting of G8. [11967]

Mr. Ivan Lewis: At the recent G8 Summit, Heads of State agreed to continue work on the implementation of the IFF and the pilot IFF for Immunisation (IFFIm).

The IFF has the support of almost 80 countries. The IFFIm will be launched imminently, disbursing $4 billion to save an additional 5 million children's lives in the years to 2015.


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