EAST Lancashire MP Nigel Evans has introduced a Private Members Bill (PMB) aimed at making sure serial drug dealers get tough prison sentences.

The Ribble Valley MP and vice-chairman of the Conservatives, was drawn second in the annual ballot for PMB.

But the bill, entitled Drugs (Sentencing and Commission of Enquiry), is unlikely to become law with a General Election expected in May.

If it does it will make strict provisions about sentencing for those who supply Class A drugs.

And it would mean a mandatory seven-year jail sentence fors dealers caught selling Class A drugs for the third time - and an adult convicted of selling Class A drugs to a minor would also face a term behind bars.

The bill, which will get its first reading in the House of Commons on February 25, would also establish an independent commission to look into the effects of cannabis and to make recommendations to the Government relating to its classification

"This bill will address and review many of the problems the selling of Class A drugs causes millions of people," said Mr Evans. "It is a fact drug-related offences have increased by almost a quarter since 2001/2. In Britain there are a million hard drug users while the British Crime Survey 2002/3 showed three per cent of people aged 16 to 59 had used a Class A drug the previous year.

"We need a detailed examination of how cannabis should be classified. There is confusion amongst youngsters and the police as how to treat the drug, and the setting up of an independent commission will present the Government with options as to the most measured response to take.

"This Bill will be tough on pushers of drugs and will help bring an end to the spiral of misery that their trade causes. Our children must be protected from such evil.

"I look forward to presenting the bill."