§ Mr. Robertsonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what requirement there is for educational bodies or any other public body to report any case of drug taking or glue sniffing among schoolchildren.
§ Mr. McElhoneThe police have a duty to report drug offences for consideration of criminal proceedings. Glue-sniffing is not of itself an offence and action would be a matter for the educational or other public body in the light of the particular circumstances of the case. Where schoolchildren are involved medical and police advice may be sought, but this will not necessarily involve a formal report in each case.
§ Mr. Robertsonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has any information about the incidence of glue sniffing or drug taking among schoolchildren in the area of the Paisley constituency; and, if so, how many cases there have been.
§ Mr. McElhoneI understand that there have been several isolated incidents of glue-sniffing among schoolchildren in the Paisley area in recent months. Exact figures are not available. One case of drug-taking is currently known to the authorities.