§ 8.1 p.m.
§ Lord Rooker rose to move, That the draft order laid before the House on 24th October be approved [7th Report from the Joint Committee].
§ The noble Lord said: My Lords, in my view the provisions of the order are compatible with convention rights.
§ The purpose of the order is to add norephedrine to the substances listed under Schedule 2 to the Criminal Justice (International Co-operation) Act 1990. That will enable the United Kingdom to comply with a decision taken by the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs to bring norephedrine under the control of the 1988 UN Convention Against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances.
§ The order will make it an offence to manufacture or supply norephedrine knowing or suspecting that it is to be used in the illegal manufacture of a controlled drug. It will be punishable by up to six months' imprisonment on summary conviction and up to 14 years on indictment and/or a fine.
§ If the order is approved, we aim to bring it into force, together with the relevant amendment regulations, on 12th December 2001. I commend the order to the House.
§ Moved, That the draft order laid before the House on 24th October be approved [7th Report from the Joint Committee].—(Lord Rooker.)
§ On Question, Motion agreed to.