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UK: MPs to consider relaxing laws on hard drugs

Ananova

Wednesday 25 Jul 2001

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A House of Commons committee is to investigate the possible
decriminalisation of hard and soft drugs as part of a major review of
Government drugs policy.

The Home Affairs Select Committee will question whether current drug rules
are failing in its first major inquiry of the new parliament.

Significantly, the committee has not limited its remit to liberalisation of
cannabis but will also discuss decriminalising Class A drugs like heroin
and crack cocaine and the possible impact such a move would have on crime,
drug-related deaths and demand.

Committee chairman Chris Mullin MP told PA News: "There is a big debate
going on outside parliament amongst serious people in the criminal justice
system, including senior police officers, probation officers and members of
the judiciary.

"Until now, politicians have tended to shy away from it. But we think the
time has come for a serious assessment of the way we deal with drugs.

"We have an entirely open mind so we're not headed for any particular
conclusion. But we hope to bring all different arguments into the open."

Mr Mullin said the Lord Chancellor Lord Irvine of Lairg and Home Secretary
David Blunkett will give general evidence to the committee early in the
next session and are likely to be asked to contribute to the drugs policy
inquiry.

The committee, which will meet in October, will also examine whether
decriminalisation is desirable and if not, discuss "practical alternatives".

The move comes amid growing backbench calls, including from former Tory
Cabinet minister Peter Lilley, for the liberalisation of cannabis laws.

This month police in Lambeth, south London, became the first to overlook
possession of small amounts of cannabis, saying they would now deal with
the offence by a formal warning rather than arrest.

The new committee will look at the effectiveness of the 10 year National
Strategy on drug misuse and take into account the Police Foundation's
report on drugs which was chaired by Dame Ruth Runciman.

 

 

 

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