§ Mr. Wareingasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what agreement has been reached between Her Majesty's Government and retailers on the sale of glue; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MellorWe have consulted representatives of retailers' associations about proposals to make it an offence to supply a substance to a person under 16 knowing or having reasonable grounds for believing that it was likely to be inhaled to achieve intoxication. There has been widespread support for such a measure, and the Government will be prepared to support the introduction of a suitable Bill in the next parliamentary Session.
My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Services has had discussions with retailers on guidelines for voluntary restraint on retail sales. The agreed guidelines were first made available at the beginning of this year and have been distributed widely.