Solvent Misuse

HL Deb 05 July 1988 vol 499 cc139-40

Baroness Masham of Ilton: asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they have evidence that young people are using lighter fuel as a means of solvent abuse, and if so, what they propose to do to make it more difficult to obtain, and to alert the public to the dangers.

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health and Social Security (Lord Skelmersdale)

My Lords, the Government are most concerned about the harm caused by solvent misuse. We are aware, in particular, of a trend towards the misuse of gas lighter fuel. Through co-operation with retailers, backed by the Intoxicating Substances (Supply) Act 1985, we have made lighter fuel, aerosols and solvent based products harder to obtain for the purpose of misuse. We have also taken steps to educate young people about the hazards associated with misuse of these products and to help parents and professionals respond to the problem.

Baroness Masham of Ilton

My Lords, I thank the Minister for that helpful reply. However, can be tell me whether he believes that parents are fully aware that the hearts and lungs of young people can stop if they misuse butane gas? Are they aware of this serious danger?

Lord Skelmersdale

My Lords, through the Health Education Council, as it then was, a useful leaflet of advice to parents on the misuse of glue and other solvents was published in, I think, 1984. Since then we have had consultations on involving parents further through doctors' surgeries, post offices and other places where parents tend to gather. We are considering reissuing such a leaflet.

Lord Ennals

My Lords, can the Minister say whether butane gas is used extensively? This is a serious problem. On the wider question of solvent misuse, am I right in believing that the incidence of this form of abuse among youngsters is no longer increasing? If so, can the Minister give some statistics?

Lord Skelmersdale

My Lords, it would be brave for anyone to suggest that the dangers have started to decrease, because this is a very serious problem. In 1986, of the 98 deaths associated with solvent misuse, 34 were deaths directly associated with gas fuels. However, I emphasise that the figures must be taken with a pinch of salt because they depend on reporting and, therefore, on identifying that the problem is associated with a particular death.

Viscount St. Davids

My Lords, following the supplementary question of the noble Lord, Lord Ennals, is it not true that butane is the gas in the little blue gas bottles which are sold in every camping shop for everyone, including young people, to use as cooking gas when camping? Is not that a particularly difficult problem?

Lord Skelmersdale

Yes, my Lords. That is the crux of the problem. The evil to which the noble Baroness, Lady Masham, has drawn attention has perfectly proper uses.

Lord Russell of Liverpool

My Lords, is the Minister happy with the current way in which the statistics for solvent misuse are collected in his department? Will the noble Lord agree to look at the position to ascertain whether it is possible for the figures to be more accurate and up to date?

Lord Skelmersdale

My Lords, as I said in answer to the noble Lord, Lord Ennals, the statistics to which I adverted must be taken with a large pinch of salt because they depend on efficient and accurate reporting. Whether or not it is possible to have more accurate figures I do not know, but I will certainly look at the problem.

Lord Ennals

My Lords, further to the point put by my noble friend, if the Minister is going to look at the statistics more carefully is it possible for more research to be carried out into the ways in which this problem can be tackled? The figures given to me by the Minister for 1986 were, I thought, disturbing, but, as he said, they can be interpreted in different ways. Is it possible to have these figures, the causes and cures better known?

Lord Skelmersdale

My Lords, the answer to the second part of the noble Lord's supplementary question is, yes. That is why we are considering ways in which to republish the advice leaflet for parents. Of course, during biological studies in schools teachers draw attention to the dangers of sniffing solvents and gas fuels.

As regards the figures, it is extremely difficult as I said to obtain accurate and proper figures because basically they depend on what is on the death certificate. It is not always realised that there is a direct connection between solvent misuse and the cause of death. I am not sure that research will help in that respect.