HC Deb 08 June 1998 vol 313 cc433-4W
Mr. Clappison

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action he proposes to take in respect of the supply of ecstasy testing kits; and if he will make a statement. [44169]

Mr. George Howarth

Kits which test for the presence of ecstasy are, in our view, of doubtful value in reducing risks to users. Ecstasy itself is a drug with well-documented short-term risks; and there are worries about its long-term effects. Ecstasy tablets seized in this country which have been tested by the Forensic Science Service have not been contaminated by substances more harmful than ecstasy itself. While the situation will be kept under review, there is no present intention to introduce specific controls on the supply of these kits. But it should be noted that possession of a substance for the purpose of testing it would be an offence if the substance was a controlled drug or a preparation or product containing one.

Mr. Clappison

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received from the UK Drugs Tsar regarding the E-Z ecstasy testing kits. [44167]

Mr. George Howarth

My officials anticipated such representations and advised the United Kingdom Anti-Drugs Co-ordination Unit on 28 May that it appeared that the E-Z Test kit did not contain any controlled substance which would require it to be licensed.

Mr. Clappison

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what advice his Department has given to the distributors of the E-Z Test ecstasy testing kits; [44170]

(2) what communications his Department has received from the United Kingdom distributor of the E-Z Test ecstasy testing kits; and when they were received. [44168]

Mr. George Howarth

The Department was asked by E-Z Limited on 23 March for its view of the ecstasy testing kit it proposed selling. In reply, officials explained that the Home Office did not endorse such products, and that the Government believed that testing could give a false sense of security and would not help to reduce the risks involved in taking the drug.