asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what information he has about the cost, reliability and availability of equipment designed to carry out rapid testing of compounds for possible content of heroin or cocaine; and what is his policy in regard to the provision of such equipment to assist the Metropolitan police.

[pursuant to his reply, 15 July 1985, c. 17]: Field kits of varying sophistication are available in this country. The simplest, which costs about £60, produces a colour reaction when a chemical is added to certain drugs and can be used to test for the presence of cannabis, amphetamine, LSD, cocaine, barbiturates and opiates (including heroin). These kits can indicate whether a controlled drug is present but the tests are not sufficiently reliable or specific to be used as evidence in a court of law. They are not used by the Metropolitan police: their provision would be a matter for the commissioner.