CANNABIS MUST STAY ILLEGAL, SAYS MILBURN

ALAN MILBURN pledged yesterday that the Government would never
decriminalise cannabis, in a sign of Cabinet unease at David Blunkett's
relaxing of the drug laws.

The Health Secretary pointed out the dangers
of using cannabis and refused to back the "softly softly" approach to the
drug adopted by police in the area of London where he lives. Interviewed on
BBC1's Breakfast With Frost, Mr Milburn said: "We will never decriminalise
cannabis. We will always maintain vigilance as far as drugs are concerned."

The downgrading of cannabis from Class B to Class C had been undertaken
only because of the advice of experts, he said. The move means that
possession will no longer be an arrestable offence.

The Health Secretary,
who has a home in Brixton, where Commander Brian Paddick pioneered not
prosecuting cannabis users, would have to sort things out if the
reclassification led to a rise in drug-dealing and addiction. Other Labour
figures to express concern include Kate Hoey, whose Vauxhall seat includes
Brixton.Another Labour MP, Irene Adams, who represents Paisley North, said
that the Government's policy was "tantamount to telling a child that he
can't have a sweet but that if he takes it from a drawer behind your back
that's all right".

Asked about the Brixton experiment, Mr Milburn said:
"I have had a conversation with Kate. I live in the area where the
experiment was. There are mixed views. Arrests for Class A drugs
trafficking increased, so I think that is quite interesting."

On allowing
medicinal use of cannabis, he said: "This is a difficult one. I have
listened to the views of people with MS (multiple sclerosis). We will make
a decision based on the clinical evidence."

Michael Howard, the Shadow
Chancellor and former Tory Home Secretary, told the programme: "I think
David Blunkett has made a mistake and I would be astonished if when we
return to government we stick to the policy."