Oral Answers to Questions

Ian C. Lucas Excerpts

Tuesday 25th April 2017 Commons Chamber

[Sir Oliver Heald]

I would never take the electorate for granted, but if I am here, I will meet my hon. Friend.

[Ian C. Lucas (Wrexham) (Lab)]

2. If she will review the effectiveness of legislation relating to novel psychoactive substances.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Justice (Mr Sam Gyimah)]

This is a matter for the Home Office. The Psychoactive Substances Act 2016 requires the legislation to be reviewed within 30 months, so the review of that Act will happen in late 2018.

[Ian C. Lucas]

Wrexham, like many other towns up and down the country, is being blighted by the impact of so-called Spice. I received a letter this month from the Home Office that directly contradicts a letter from the Minister on the question of whether the possession of Spice is an offence. The confusion is causing real enforcement problems for police officers, who have already had their numbers cut by this Government. Will the Minister take this matter more seriously and act urgently to confront this really serious problem?

[Mr Gyimah]

I agree with the hon. Gentleman that it is a serious problem and, as I have said before, it is also a problem in our prisons. Possession of Spice in a custodial setting is an offence and is subject to imprisonment. If the hon. Gentleman could forward me his letter from the Home Office, I will look into this in more detail and get back to him.