To ask the Lord President of the Council if he will make a further statement on the Government's policy on the misuse of drugs. [13374]

The Government's policy remains that set out in the white paper, "Tackling Drugs Together", which was published in May 1995. We are determined to sustain a vigorous approach to law enforcement in reducing the supply of illegal drugs, while taking effective action to reduce the demand for drugs among young people and providing accessible treatment to reduce health risks. That strategy is being actively carried forward at the local level by the 105 drug action teams in England, with parallel arrangements in other parts of the United Kingdom.

I thank my right hon. Friend for the action that the Government have taken and, indeed, that he has taken to tackle the evil of drugs in our society. Did he see the programme about the dangers of drugs in south-east Essex and note that drugs destroy the lives of our constituents in Essex? Will he join me in welcoming the Crimestoppers initiative and the say no and phone—SNAP—initiative, which encourages youngsters to turn the tables on the evil people who push drugs by giving information to the police on the 0800 555111 telephone number which they can use confidentially?

I am grateful to my hon. Friend for his opening remarks. I did not manage to see the programme, but my office is obtaining a video and I hope to watch it. There is no doubt that the results of the SNAP campaign have been striking. I hope that that effort, continuing as part of the general Crimestoppers campaign, will be pursued. I strongly commend my hon. Friend's support for it in south Essex.

May I take this opportunity to offer the Opposition's congratulations on the work that the Leader of the House has done in chairing the important Cabinet Sub-Committee? From recent meetings that I and some of my colleagues shadowing other Departments have had, we are well aware of the right hon. Gentleman's contribution and non-gimmicky approach. The work is treated very seriously outside the House and will be continued by Labour following the General Election.

I am genuinely grateful to the hon. Gentleman for his remarks about me, and for the assurance that he gave, although I do not anticipate the eventuality.

Will my right hon. Friend pay particular attention to activities to discourage people in the music industry from making statements and acting in a way that encourages the consumption of drugs among young people, and continue the Government's support for the Public Entertainments Licences (Drug Misuse) Bill, which is going through the other place and which we hope will soon become law?

I can assure my hon. Friend of the Government's continued support for the Public Entertainments Licences (Drug Misuse) Bill, sponsored by my hon. Friend the Member for Milton Keynes, South-West (Mr. Legg). I note also the earlier comments of my hon. Friend the Member for Lewes (Mr. Rathbone), with which I have a great deal of sympathy and on which he has recently received a letter from my right hon. and learned Friend the Home Secretary.