HC Deb 17 March 1988 vol 129 cc658-9W
42. Mr. Alex Carlile

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has any proposals for changes in the law affecting the sale of butane gas canisters and other substances used for sniffing to children and young persons; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. John Patten

The Government supported the passage through Parliament of the Intoxicating Substances (Supply) Act 1985, which penalises a person who supplies (or offers to supply) a substance, knowing or having reasonable cause to believe that it is likely to be inhaled by somebody under the age of 18 to achieve intoxication. We have no plans to amend this Act, but we will continue to encourage voluntary co-operation by retailers in controlling the supply of volatile substances to young people.