§ Tim LoughtonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prosecutions were made of retailers selling restricted solvents to children in each of the last seven years. [169065]
§ Paul GogginsThe available information is contained in the table.
Defendantsl proceeded against under the Intoxicating Substances (Supply) Act 19852, England and Wales, 1996–2002 1996 4 1997 11 1998 4 1999 9 2000 — 2001 1 2002 — 1These data are on the principal offence basis. 2The offence is to supply or offer to supply any intoxicating substances to a person under the age of 18 where the retailer may reasonably believe that the product will be used for intoxication. Statistics on court proceedings for 2003 will be published in the autumn.