Oral Answers to Questions

Chris Law Excerpts

Tuesday 14th December 2021 Commons Chamber

The Secretary of State was asked—

[Chris Law (Dundee West) (SNP)]

1. What recent discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on the effectiveness of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.

[Alison Thewliss (Glasgow Central) (SNP)]

21. What recent discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on the effectiveness of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.

[The Minister for Crime and Policing (Kit Malthouse)]

There are no plans to amend the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. The principle remains that drugs are dangerous and need to be controlled appropriately.

[Chris Law]

I am not surprised by the reply we have just heard from the Minister. However, in Germany, the incoming Government have agreed to join Canada and many US states in legalising cannabis, while across Europe drug consumption rooms are operating with positive results. As countries around us move forward, what message does the Minister think it sends to the rest of the world to see the UK stuck in the last century on drugs policy?

[Kit Malthouse]

I refute the claim that we are stuck in the last century. In fact, we launched a world-beating strategy just last week, if the hon. Gentleman was paying attention, that proposes a three-pronged approach on drugs, which we believe will have some success over the next decade. I understand that the hon. Gentleman and his colleagues often push for the legalisation of cannabis, but I point him to the mixed experience of various parts of the world that have done so, not least California, where it is widely agreed to have been a disaster.