§ Mr. Ron Lewis asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received, and from whom, regarding the spread of glue sniffing; and if he will make a statement.
223W§ Mr. Mayhew:Departmental responsibility in England and Wales for matters relating to solvent abuse rests primarily with my right hon. Friends the Secretary of State for Social Services and the Secretary of State for Wales. My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary has been concerned chiefly with proposals that the criminal law should be changed to control the practice. As well as a number of representations from the general public we have received nearly 30 letters from members of this House, including one from the hon. Member for Carlisle (Mr. Lewis), with which he enclosed a petition from his constituents. Home Office Ministers have also answered four parliamentary questions on the subject.
The view of the Government remains that the prevention of solvent abuse is a matter for persuasion and education within the community, rather than the imposition of criminal sanctions.