§ Mr. McAllionTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will amend the terms of the Intoxicating Substances Supply Act 1985 so as to introduce a strict liability clause with regard to the sale of Butane gas lighter refills to under 16-year-olds, if he will nominate an enforcement agency for the application of the act; and if he will make a statement. [13703]
§ Mr. George HowarthWe have no plans to amend the Intoxicating Substances (Supply) Act 1985. The Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs undertook a study into volatile substance abuse, the results of which were published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office in 1995. A copy of their report is in the Library. They concluded that there were no acceptable legislative changes that would do more than the Act already does to protect young people. Responsibility for enforcement of the provisions of the Act rests with the police.