§ Sir Nicholas LyellTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will reply to the letter from the right hon. Member for North-East Bedfordshire concerning the asylum application concerning Mr. Arif and Mrs. Susan Tuysuz originally lodged in 1994. [111717]
§ Mrs. RocheI wrote to the right hon. Member on 28 February. I am sorry for the delay.
374W(1) the recent announcement by the President of the United States of America of the decision to place gammahydroxybutyrate in Schedule 1 of the Controlled Substance Act; and if he will make a statement; [111873]
(2) the impact of recent moves in the US to place gammahydroxybutyrate under the Controlled Substances Act; and if he will make a statement. [111722]
§ Mr. Charles ClarkeI am aware that in the United States of America the Controlled Substances Act has recently been amended to include gammahydroxybutyrate. This information will also be made available to the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs who are responsible for keeping drug misuse in the United Kingdom under review.
It is important to bear in mind that drug misuse patterns vary from country to country. Gammahydroxybutyrate misuse has given rise to concern in the United States of America for a number of years. Historically, it has been widely available there and could be purchased over the counter in health food stores until 1992.