COCAINE FOUND INSIDE HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT

EVIDENCE of cocaine being snorted inside the Houses of Parliament has been
discovered. Several samples collected by The Sunday Times from lavatories at
Westminster have tested positive for the drug.

Researchers took 22 samples from surfaces in toilets adjoining bars used by
MPs and their guests in the Commons, and from lavatories on the first floor
of the House of Lords.

Laboratory tests showed that a small white particle found in a men's
lavatory yards from the offices of Lord Irvine, the lord chancellor,
amounted to about 50mg of cocaine. There is no suggestion that Irvine, who
has taken a hard line on barristers using drugs, was aware of any abuse so
close to his office.

The sample is now stored at a drug testing centre, in case it is needed for
forensic examination by the police.

Tests were also made at three bars in the Commons; three of the samples
found there - one from a women's lavatory - tested positive for traces of
the drug. It is the first time a class A drug has been discovered inside
parliament.

Scotland Yard confirmed there were no procedures for testing for drugs
within Westminster.

A gram of cocaine costing $40 can provide between 10 and 20 lines, giving
four people enough of a hit to keep them awake for many hours of
parliamentary sittings.

The sample found at the Lords had a street value of about $2, suggesting
that whoever had left it either had a plentiful supply or was disturbed
while taking it.

The cocaine was discovered as part of a survey of 10 buildings across London
for evidence that people had been using them to take the drug. Only the
Commons and the Lords tested positive.

Anti-drug campaigners expressed concern that cocaine was now to be found in
parliament, but said it was becoming increasingly commonplace as a "fashion
accessory" since the price had fallen.

Researchers also took drug samples from lavatories adjoining three bars used
by MPs and researchers: Stranger's Bar, Annie's Bar and the Press Gallery
Bar. Minute traces of the drug were found in toilets on two floors close to
the Press Gallery Bar, which is frequented by MPs and their assistants, as
well as journalists.

MPs on both sides of the house have advocated the legalisation of cannabis.
Seven members of the shadow cabinet have admitted experimenting with the
drug while at university, but the use of class A drugs, such as cocaine, is
still a taboo.

Superintendent Gregory Roylance, the Metropolitan police officer in charge
of security at Westminster, said there had never been any official drug
testing in the buildings.

"I need to know more before I comment. We have not conducted any tests. We
have not had reason to do so," he said.

Both the Sergeant-at-Arms Office, which administers the Commons, and the
Lord Chancellor's Department, were unavailable for comment.

Paul Flynn, the Labour MP for Newport West, who has advocated the
legalisation of cannabis, described the results of The Sunday Times research
as "very interesting".

He said: "Cocaine has become the social drug. But those addicted should be
treated as patients, not as criminals.

"At least the myth has been destroyed that if people start out on a soft
drug, they end up on heroin.

"That they end up on the Tory front bench is not an enviable fate, but it is
not quite as bad as lying in a gutter with a needle sticking out of you."