§ 42. Mr. Gordon Wilsonasked the Solicitor-General for Scotland how many prosecutions and referrals for offences which involved solvent abuse there were in 1980.
§ The Solicitor-General for ScotlandI indicated to the hon. Gentleman on a previous occasion—[Vol. 2, c. 953–54]—that there is no separate register kept by procurators fiscal of the numbers of prosecutions for offences involving solvent abuse, as solvent abuse is itself not illegal. The charge libelled in any prosecution where an accused has inhaled solvent will depend on the circumstances. In most cases, I understand, these circumstances merit proceedings in the district court on a charge of breach of the peace. I am unable to supply information concerning referrals involving solvent abuse.