Crime and Courts Bill [Lords]

Debate between Lord Barwell and Julian Huppert

Monday 14th January 2013 Commons Chamber

[Gavin Barwell (Croydon Central) (Con)]

rose—

[Dr Huppert]

rose—

[Mrs May]

I will give way to my hon. Friend the Member for Croydon Central (Gavin Barwell), whom I was about to commend.

--- Later in debate ---

[Gavin Barwell]

As usual, my hon. Friend makes a good point, and I will explore those issues once I have dealt with the limits.

A decision needs to be made about whether the levels should be based as far as possible on the scientific evidence of similar levels of impairment to that caused by alcohol or whether there is a case, as the family believe, for zero limits for some of the most serious substances. As I understand it, the Government have set up the Wolff panel to consider the detail. They themselves are finding this a highly complex and difficult area and are taking a bit more time than originally envisaged to do this work, but I would be grateful for any guidance that the Minister could give in his winding-up speech about the timing of the panel’s report.

[Dr Huppert]

It is a fascinating balance. I have seen comments from the Wolff panel suggesting that alcohol is far and away the most dangerous substance that people can take, so although I support the aim in the Bill of reducing impairment, perhaps more work still needs to be done on drink-driving as well.