§ Lords Amendment: No. 1, in page 7, line 27, leave out from "Act" to "it" in line 28.
§ The Minister of State, Home Office (Mr. Richard Sharples)I beg to move, That this House doth agree with the Lords in the said Amendment.
If it is for the convenience of the House, perhaps we can discuss at the same time the following Lords Amendment No. 2 in page 7, line 33, leave out from "possession" to end of line 46 and insert:
The second Amendment would make it clear that a person who owns an opium pipe or utensil as a collector's piece is not rendered liable to prosecution unless he used it or intended to use it for smoking opium or knowingly permitted another to have it for such a purpose. The other Amendment removes the statutory defence in relation to this, because it is felt that, with a much clearer definition, this would no longer be necessary.
- "(i) any pipes or other utensils made or adapted for use in connection with the smoking of opium, being pipes or utensils which have been used by him or with his knowledge and permission in that connection or which he intends to use or permit others to use in that connection; or
- (ii) any utensils which have been used by him or with his knowledge and permission in connection with the preparation of opium for smoking."
§ Question put and agreed to.
§ Subsequent Lords Amendment agreed to.