Bradford MPs last night spoke out against calls to decriminalise drugs as a Parliamentary committee found the Government’s policy on illegal substances was “not working”.

The Commons Home Affairs Committee said current strategies to combat drug barons were failing and urged Prime Minister David Cameron to establish a Royal Commission to look at alternative measures to tackle the problem, including legalising substances.

After a year-long inquiry, it said ministers could learn from the experience of Portugal where drugs have been “depenalised”, with possession of small amounts not subject to criminal penalties, even though they remain illegal.

Bradford South Labour MP Gerry Sutcliffe said it was “difficult to get the right message on drugs.” “If you’re seen in any way to falter or make them more easily available it causes further problems,” he said.

“I understand there’s a case for people taking drugs for medicinal purposes and support the need to find a way around that, but declassification could end up causing more problems than you’re trying to stop.”

Bradford East MP Liberal Democrat David Ward said the idea of scrapping criminal penalties for those found with a small amount of drugs could free up police to tackle “more serious crime”.

“It’s obviously a contentious issue, but what we’ve got to do is release police time to deal with more serious crimes and the most serious drug use. You can never condone the use of illegal drugs, but you have got to be realistic.”

Bradford West Respect MP George Galloway said he was against decriminalisation of illegal drugs.

“It’s not just the effect it has on drug users and their families, but the crime statistics that are swelled by addicts causing mayhem in society,” he said.