§ Mr. CartwrightTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received about making the abuse of solvent a criminal offence; what views he has sought on the matter; and what steps he plans to make.
§ Mr. John PattenWe occasionally receive proposals in favour of making solvent misuse a criminal offence, but have accepted the judgment of professionals working in the field that this would be counter-productive. We consider that the more effective approach lies through a combination of education and information for parents and professionals and voluntary reductions in supply for retailers, backed where necessary by the Intoxicating Substances (Supply) Act 1985.