To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will outline its strategy for the Drug Enforcement Agency, and confirm whether its principal target will be major drug traffickers and suppliers and not minor user dealers.

The Scottish Executive is consulting with the police, Customs, the Scottish Crime Squad, the National Criminal Intelligence Service and other relevant agencies in developing proposals for taking forward the Drugs Enforcement Agency concept. When this process has been completed over the summer we will make an announcement about the emerging plans including membership, strategy, structure, staffing, resources, links with police forces, links with other organisations, timescale for implementation, and other relevant matters. It is important that this process is carried out carefully to ensure that the arrangements which emerge build on the efforts of the existing organisations charged with fighting crime.