§ Mr. BlunkettTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he intends to make any funds directly available for research, education and other measures related to the combating of solvent abuse.
§ Mrs. CurrieThe Government have funded a study under the direction of Professor Anderson of St. George's hospital medical school to investigate the effects of various teenagers' activities, including solvent misuse, on their health and educational performance. We are considering carefully the outcome of that study before deciding whether further research is necessary. We are also funding a data collection exercise to ascertain the numbers and causes of deaths from solvent misuse in the United Kingdom.
In addition to the range of measures which have been taken directly in line with the Government's policy of education, persuasion and the encouragement of local initiatives, the Government are currently funding drug education co-ordinators in every local education authority, whose work includes activities aimed at preventing solvent misuse.