HC Deb 12 February 1979 vol 962 cc433-4W
Lord James Douglas-Hamilton

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland, with regard to his recent reply on glue sniffing, if he has received any evidence or information to the effect that a person or persons engaged in this practice have become aggressive in any respect; and what were the symptoms of glue sniffing in the light of the information he has received.

Mr. Harry Ewing

Persons intoxicated by solvent sniffing behave as though they are drunk and, as with alcohol intoxication, a small proportion display aggres-

mates. Several important considerations to be borne in mind in using these approximate estimates were set out in the December 1977 article. The NES information relates to one pay-period only. For some groups in some years, pay for that period was subsequently increased when delayed settlements were implemented retrospectively. Consequently, changes between successive surveys may reflect the effect of either two, one or no annual settlements for these groups—eg the 1977–78 changes do not include the effect of the 1978 settlements for NHS nurses and midwives, Post Office telephonists and some other major groups. The transfer of the aerospace and shipbuilding industries into the public sector between the 1977 and 1978 surveys affects the figures, but only to a small extent.

sive tendencies. Additional symptoms are smelling of solvent, spots around nose and mouth, listlessness and loss of appetite and marked moodiness.

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