Norman Baker

Liberal Democrat - Former Member for Lewes

First elected: 1st May 1997

Left House: 30th March 2015 (Defeated)


Norman Baker is not a member of any APPGs
Minister of State (Home Office)
7th Oct 2013 - 4th Nov 2014
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport) (Regional and Local Transport)
14th May 2010 - 7th Oct 2013
Shadow Secretary of State for Transport
20th Dec 2007 - 6th May 2010
Shadow Minister (Cabinet Office)
5th Jul 2007 - 20th Dec 2007
Shadow Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
16th May 2005 - 30th Jan 2006
Human Rights (Joint Committee)
7th Jun 2001 - 14th Jan 2003
Shadow Spokesperson (Home Affairs)
1st Jan 2001 - 1st Jan 2002
Broadcasting
1st Jun 2000 - 1st Jun 2001
Shadow Spokesperson (Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform)
1st Jan 1999 - 1st Jan 2001
Shadow Spokesperson (Culture, Media and Sport)
1st Jan 1998 - 1st Jan 2001
Environmental Audit Committee
2nd Dec 1997 - 9th Feb 2000
Shadow Spokesperson (Culture, Media and Sport)
1st Jan 1997 - 1st Jan 2000
Shadow Spokesperson (Transport)
1st Jan 1998 - 1st Jan 1999
Shadow Spokesperson (Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
1st Jan 1997 - 1st Jan 1999


Division Voting information

Norman Baker has voted in 1396 divisions, and 15 times against the majority of their Party.

23 Feb 2015 - Serious Crime Bill [Lords] - View Vote Context
Norman Baker voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 12 Liberal Democrat Aye votes vs 29 Liberal Democrat No votes
Tally: Ayes - 201 Noes - 292
23 Feb 2015 - Serious Crime Bill [Lords] - View Vote Context
Norman Baker voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 2 Liberal Democrat Aye votes vs 38 Liberal Democrat No votes
Tally: Ayes - 227 Noes - 282
26 Jan 2015 - Infrastructure Bill [Lords] - View Vote Context
Norman Baker voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 14 Liberal Democrat Aye votes vs 33 Liberal Democrat No votes
Tally: Ayes - 52 Noes - 308
26 Jan 2015 - Infrastructure Bill [Lords] - View Vote Context
Norman Baker voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 15 Liberal Democrat Aye votes vs 26 Liberal Democrat No votes
Tally: Ayes - 245 Noes - 293
20 May 2013 - Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill - View Vote Context
Norman Baker voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 11 Liberal Democrat Aye votes vs 37 Liberal Democrat No votes
Tally: Ayes - 150 Noes - 340
15 Jun 2010 - Backbench Business Committee - View Vote Context
Norman Baker voted No - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 17 Liberal Democrat No votes vs 31 Liberal Democrat Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 171 Noes - 263
22 Oct 2008 - Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill [Lords] - View Vote Context
Norman Baker voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 23 Liberal Democrat Aye votes vs 25 Liberal Democrat No votes
Tally: Ayes - 206 Noes - 298
22 Oct 2008 - Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill [Lords] - View Vote Context
Norman Baker voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 18 Liberal Democrat Aye votes vs 31 Liberal Democrat No votes
Tally: Ayes - 183 Noes - 308
20 May 2008 - Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill [Lords] - View Vote Context
Norman Baker voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 13 Liberal Democrat Aye votes vs 42 Liberal Democrat No votes
Tally: Ayes - 190 Noes - 332
20 May 2008 - Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill [Lords] - View Vote Context
Norman Baker voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 23 Liberal Democrat Aye votes vs 32 Liberal Democrat No votes
Tally: Ayes - 233 Noes - 304
19 May 2008 - Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill [Lords] - View Vote Context
Norman Baker voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 15 Liberal Democrat Aye votes vs 40 Liberal Democrat No votes
Tally: Ayes - 176 Noes - 336
19 May 2008 - Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill [Lords] - View Vote Context
Norman Baker voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 26 Liberal Democrat Aye votes vs 29 Liberal Democrat No votes
Tally: Ayes - 223 Noes - 286
19 May 2008 - Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill [Lords] - View Vote Context
Norman Baker voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 20 Liberal Democrat Aye votes vs 34 Liberal Democrat No votes
Tally: Ayes - 181 Noes - 314
19 May 2008 - Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill [Lords] - View Vote Context
Norman Baker voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 16 Liberal Democrat Aye votes vs 40 Liberal Democrat No votes
Tally: Ayes - 149 Noes - 318
31 Oct 2006 - Termination of Pregnancy - View Vote Context
Norman Baker voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 9 Liberal Democrat Aye votes vs 34 Liberal Democrat No votes
Tally: Ayes - 108 Noes - 187
View All Norman Baker Division Votes

All Debates

Speeches made during Parliamentary debates are recorded in Hansard. For ease of browsing we have grouped debates into individual, departmental and legislative categories.

Sparring Partners
Lilian Greenwood (Labour)
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
(21 debate interactions)
John Bercow (Speaker)
(17 debate interactions)
Kelvin Hopkins (Independent)
(13 debate interactions)
View All Sparring Partners
Department Debates
Department for Transport
(600 debate contributions)
Home Office
(225 debate contributions)
Ministry of Justice
(31 debate contributions)
Cabinet Office
(5 debate contributions)
View All Department Debates
Legislation Debates
Norman Baker has not made any spoken contributions to legislative debate
View all Norman Baker's debates

Latest EDMs signed by Norman Baker

Norman Baker has not signed any Early Day Motions

Commons initiatives

These initiatives were driven by Norman Baker, and are more likely to reflect personal policy preferences.

MPs who are act as Ministers or Shadow Ministers are generally restricted from performing Commons initiatives other than Urgent Questions.


Norman Baker has not been granted any Urgent Questions

2 Adjournment Debates led by Norman Baker

Tuesday 3rd March 2015
Friday 9th January 2015

1 Bill introduced by Norman Baker


Commons - 20%

Last Event - 1st Reading: House Of Commons
Wednesday 17th December 2014

Norman Baker has not co-sponsored any Bills in the current parliamentary sitting


Latest 23 Written Questions

(View all written questions)
Written Questions can be tabled by MPs and Lords to request specific information information on the work, policy and activities of a Government Department
4 Other Department Questions
10th Mar 2015
To ask the Prime Minister, what proposals he has received to secure greater public accountability for the earnings of former Prime Ministers; and what replies he has sent to those proposals.

The Ministerial Code requires former Ministers to seek advice from the independent Advisory Committee on Business Appointments about all appointments and employment they intend to take up in the two years after leaving ministerial office. These rules have applied under successive Governments, and there are no plans to revise them.

10th Mar 2015
To ask the Prime Minister, if he will make it his policy that former Prime Ministers be prohibited for life from working for an overseas government and that their activities be subject to indefinite scrutiny by the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments.

The Ministerial Code requires former Ministers to seek advice from the independent Advisory Committee on Business Appointments about all appointments and employment they intend to take up in the two years after leaving ministerial office. These rules have applied under successive Governments, and there are no plans to revise them.

12th Jan 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, which overseas visits undertaken by HRH The Duke of York since 2011 were carried out partly or wholly on behalf of his Department; which countries were visited and what official events took place during each such visit; and what the cost to the public purse of (a) travel and (b) other expenses was of each such visit.

The Duke of York announced that he was relinquishing his role as the UK’s Special Representative for International Trade and Investment in July 2011. Since 1st January 2012, HRH honoured two pre-existing commitments approved by the Royal Visits Committee (see below) through to the end of March 2012 in support of UK Trade & Investment objectives.

Switzerland (Davos) 26-28 January 2012

During the World Economic Forum at Davos, The Duke of York hosted the UK Reception, which as well as supporting British Business, provided an opportunity to promote the London Olympics 2012 and the Global Investment Conference. His Royal Highness also held a number of bilateral meetings throughout the Forum with Heads of State, Ministers and business leaders.

The cost to UKTI for this visit was £12.9k

Thailand (Creative & Media and Food & Drink) 28 February – 2 March 2012

During his visit to Thailand, The Duke of York called on The King and Queen of Thailand and Princess Maha Chakri Sirindthorn. His Royal Highness met with the Prime Minister, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Minister of Commerce and the Vice Chairman of Charoen Pokphand Group Company Limited. His Royal Highness attended a lunch for Thai companies, a dinner for British companies and a dinner with representatives of the "Next Generation" – a group of young thought leaders. The Duke of York visited the British Council's "Everything Forever Now" Exhibition at the Thailand Creative and Design Centre, Sahaviriya Steel Industries plc, Reckitt Benkiser and opened the Tesco Lotus Zero Carbon Store, Bang Pru. His Royal Highness also met with the Royal British Legion at the Embassy

The cost to UKTI for this visit was £8.8k

8th Dec 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what assessment he has now made of the potential efficiency gains that could result from a merger of the Education Funding Agency and Skills Funding Agency.

The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) constantly keeps its delivery arrangements under review to ensure that funding of skills programmes is efficient and effective, as well as responsive to policy priorities to increase take-up of apprenticeships and traineeships for young people.

The Skills Funding Agency works closely with the Education Funding Agency on the funding of Further Education college provision and funding of apprenticeships and traineeships for 16-19 year olds. We have recently appointed Peter Lauener as joint Chief Executive of both agencies to make the most of the clear synergies between the two agencies. This exemplifies the commitment we have to promoting joined up Government. The Skills Funding Agency and Education Funding Agency share a number of services to ensure they function as efficiently as possible.

The Skills Funding Agency has recently been through significant restructuring exercises reducing staffing levels by 50% and administration budget by 37%. In addition the regional office structure was reduced from 54 offices to six offices.

8th Dec 2014
To ask the Attorney General, what his policy is on the future of the National Fund; whether he has considered the early application of the Fund to reduce the national debt; what other options for the future of the Fund he has considered and (a) dismissed and (b) kept under consideration; and what donations have been made to the Fund in each of the last 30 years.

There has been correspondence between the Charity Commission, the trustees and the Attorney General’s Office over the National Fund.

The Fund is operated in accordance with its rules and section 9 of the Superannuation and Other Trust Funds (Validation) Act 1927. It is accumulating as the original donors intended.

Options are being considered for the future of the Fund, consistent with its object of extinguishing or reducing the national debt. These include a possible application to the court for directions. The consideration of these options includes looking at the history of donations to the Fund. Whilst this work is on-going, it would not be appropriate to comment further.

18th Nov 2014
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many people died from the effects of (a) tobacco, (b) alcohol and (c) cannabis in the last year for which figures are available.

The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the Authority to reply.

12th Jan 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, which overseas visits undertaken by HRH The Duke of York since 2011 were carried out partly or wholly on behalf of her Department; which countries were visited and what official events took place during each such visit; and what the cost to the public purse of (a) travel and (b) other expenses was of each such visit.

Since 2011 there have been no visits undertaken by HRH The Duke of York wholly or partially on behalf of the Department of Education. Since relinquishing his role as the United Kingdom’s Special Representative for Trade and Investment in 2011, The Duke of York has travelled officially on behalf of Her Majesty’s Government, as part of the programme of visits for the Royal Family approved by the Royal Visits Committee. Some of the visit programmes may have included events linked to education but this information is not held by this Department.

12th Jan 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will publish by 16 January 2015 the Shale Gas Rural Economy Impacts report; and if she will make a statement.

I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Bassetlaw, John Mann, on 11 September 2014, Official Report, column 723W.

4th Dec 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the compatibility of the availability of sativex through the NHS with the classification of cannabis as a Schedule One substance.

Cannabis is a Class B drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 and is listed in Schedule 1 under the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001. Cannabis in its raw form is not authorised as a medicinal product in the United Kingdom and no assessment has been made by the Government of its potential medicinal benefits.

Sativex is the first cannabis-based medicine (oral spray) to be recognised by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency to have medicinal properties and is placed in Part I of Schedule 4 to the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001. This distinguishes it from cannabis in its raw form which continues to remain a Class B and Schedule 1 controlled drug under UK legislation. A person can lawfully possess Sativex under a prescription issued by a qualified healthcare professional.

However, Sativex remains a Class B drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 Act and Class B drug offences, including unlawful possession, supply, possession with intent to supply etc, continue to apply to Sativex.

18th Nov 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many people were given an opiate-based treatment (a) within a hospital, (b) on prescription and (c) otherwise in the last 12 months.

Information on the number of people given a particular medicine or type of medicine is not available.

Information on the number of packs of opiate-based medicines dispensed by National Health Service hospital pharmacies in England for 2013-14 is shown in table 1.

Table 1: Number of packs dispensed in hospital pharmacies

Chemical Name

Number of packs dispensed in hospital pharmacies

(secondary care)

(000s)

Buprenorphine

98.2

Buprenorphine/Naloxone

0.9

Codeine

1,856.5

Dextromethorphan

0.7

Diamorphine

210.4

Dihydrocodeine

335.2

Fentanyl

590.7

Hydromorphone

2.1

Meptazinol

6.3

Methadone

77.8

Morphine

1,492.5

Oxycodone

333.2

Oxycodone/Naloxone

3.4

Pethidine

46.9

Pholcodine

3.0

Tapentadol

4.7

Tramadol

954.4

Other1

0.1

1 Includes Opium, Pentazocine

Source: Hospital Pharmacy Audit Index (HPAI) provided by IMS Health

Information on the number of opiate-based medicines items dispensed on prescription in the community in England in 2013-14 for treatments under the following British National Formulary (BNF) chapters is shown in table 2.

Table 2: Prescription items dispensed in the community

BNF chapter

Chemical Name

Prescription items dispensed in the community (primary care)

(000s)

3.9.1
Cough Suppressants

Pholcodine

300.1

Codeine Phosphate

194.5

Other2

0.5

4.7.2
Opioid Analgesics

Tramadol Hydrochloride

8,002.4

Codeine Phosphate

3,934.8

Morphine Sulfate

3,734.0

Dihydrocodeine Tartrate

1,877.6

Buprenorphine

1,679.5

Oxycodone Hydrochloride

1,197.2

Fentanyl

1,177.2

Diamorphine Hydrochloride (Systemic)

120.8

Oxycodone Hydrochloride/ Naloxone Hydrochloride

76.8

Methadone Hydrochloride

70.9

Meptazinol Hydrochloride

67.7

Tapentadol Hydrochloride

48.1

Pethidine Hydrochloride

38.3

Dipipanone Hydrochloride

15.3

Hydromorphone Hydrochloride

10.1

Other3

6.9

4.10.3
Opioid Dependence

Methadone Hydrochloride

2,544.6

Buprenorphine Hydrochloride

873.4

Buprenorph Hydrochloride/ Naloxone Hydrochloride

142.7

2 Includes Dextromethorphan Hydrobromide, Methadone Hydrochloride, Diamorphine Hydrochloride

3 Includes Pentazocine Hydrochloride, Morphine Tartrate and Cyclizine Tartrate, Dextromoramide Tartrate, Papaveretum, Morphine Hydrochloride, Pentazocine Lactate, Oxycodone, Powdered Opium

Source: Prescription Cost Analysis (PCA) provided by the Health and Social Care Information Centre

Information on opiate-based medicines not provided through the NHS e.g. those bought over the counter or provided by private hospitals, is not collected.

18th Nov 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the ability of people to access Sativex in the NHS.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence published an updated clinical guideline on the management of multiple sclerosis in primary and secondary care in October 2014, in which Sativex (nabiximols) is not recommended for treating spasticity.

National Health Service commissioners must consider requests to fund Sativex in line with the NHS Constitution.

10th Mar 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness against his objectives of Tony Blair in his role as Quartet Special Representative in the Middle East.

The UK works closely with Tony Blair as the Quartet's Special Representative in our joint efforts to support the peace process. Tony Blair visited Gaza last month to meet Palestinian Gaza-based Ministers and local business and community leaders. I met Tony Blair on 9 March to discuss how to make progress on Gaza and the Middle East Peace Process.

The Quartet has an important role to play in bringing Israelis and Palestinians together as we urgently seek to move the peace process forward.

10th Mar 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, when he last met Tony Blair to discuss his work as Quartet Special Representative in the Middle East.

I met Tony Blair on 9 March to discuss the Middle East Peace Process. The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr Hammond) last spoke to Tony Blair on 7 August 2014, where they discussed the Gaza conflict.
26th Nov 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the human rights position in Tibet.

We have serious concerns about the human rights situation in Tibet, particularly the reported restrictions being placed on freedom of expression, association and assembly.

We are troubled by reported episodes of violence during popular protests in Tibet. We believe meaningful dialogue is the best way to address underlying grievances.

12th Jan 2015
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether the Government plans to provide (a) funding and (b) other support for a reception hosted by HRH The Duke of York at the World Economic Forum to be held in Davos from 21 to 24 January 2015.

There has never been a cost to HM Government for the reception hosted by HRH The Duke of York at Davos.

8th Dec 2014
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will place in the Library copies of the bank statements of the donations and bequests account held by the Commissioner for the Reduction of the National Debt at the Bank of England in the last 10 years.

The Government believes it would not be appropriate to provide daily bank statements to the House Library for both efficiency and confidentiality reasons, but will provide copies of the annual accounts for the Donations & Bequests Fund for the past 10 years.

8th Dec 2014
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many gifts from members of the public were made for the purpose of reducing the national debt in each of the last three years; what the (a) nature and (b) value of each gift was; whether it is his policy to encourage such donations; and if he will make a statement.

Given below is a list of gifts from members of the public made for the purpose of reducing the national debt in each of the last three years, with the nature and value of each gift. Over the last three years there have been 39 such gifts; 16 in 12/13, 16 in 13/14, and 7 in 14/15. The Treasury is a passive receiver of donations and bequests. It does not actively pursue possible donations.

Year 2013-14

12.18

24-Feb-14

Unknown

200.00

19-Feb-14

Gift

15.00

10-Feb-14

Gift

3.87

16-Jan-14

Unknown

1.99

02-Dec-13

Unknown

40.00

21-Nov-13

Gift

2.94

14-Oct-13

Unknown

336,356.53

27-Sep-13

Bequest

0.78

03-Sep-13

Unknown

420,576.00

23-Aug-13

Bequest

120.00

20-Aug-13

Unknown

6.77

05-Aug-13

Unknown

1.99

03-Jun-13

Unknown

41,571.79

30-Apr-13

Bequest

Total

799,389.84

Year 2012-13

284,964.00

28-Mar-13

Bequest

1,988.20

05-Mar-13

Bequest

41.91

18-Feb-13

Unknown

3.06

04-Feb-13

Unknown

8.84

31-Jan-13

Unknown

1.99

03-Dec-12

Unknown

7,000.00

06-Nov-12

Bequest

0.04

30-Oct-12

Unknown

0.07

30-Oct-12

Unknown

101,946.98

24-Oct-12

Bequest

1.75

01-Jun-13

Unknown

0.08

01-Jun-12

Unknown

0.08

01-Jun-12

Unknown

0.08

01-Jun-12

Unknown

Total

406,607.08

Year 2011-12

120.00

29-Mar-12

Unknown

18,478.49

14-Dec-11

Bequest

1.99

01-Dec-11

Unknown

6.72

22-Sep-11

Unknown

1.61

19-Sep-11

Unknown

4.45

19-Sep-11

Unknown

42.80

19-Sep-11

Unknown

5.61

20-Jul-11

Unknown

7.80

14-Jul-11

Unknown

1.44

05-Jul-11

Unknown

1.26

05-Jul-11

Unknown

0.11

05-Jul-11

Unknown

17.06

28-Jun-11

Unknown

0.01

02-Jun-11

Unknown

1.99

01-Jun-11

Unknown

0.01

10-May-11

Unknown

0.38

05-May-11

Unknown

1,416.93

04-May-11

Bequest

Total

21,183.66

8th Dec 2014
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how much has been received by the Sovereign in each of the last 30 years as a result of people (a) dying intestate and (b) making specific bequests in favour of the Sovereign in the Duchy of Lancaster.

  1. The Sovereign has received no direct benefit from bona vacantia since 1988. The Privy purse benefited by £339k in 1984/85, £468k in 1985/86, £418k in 1986/87 and £497k in 1987/88.

Since 1988 proceeds from bona vacantia have been used to pay late claims and the balance has been divided between three charities established to receive these funds which are the Duchy of Lancaster Benevolent Fund (supporting charities within the County Palatine or where the Duchy has landed or historical interests in England and Wales), the Jubilee Trust (which supports The Queen's Chapel of the Savoy and other heritage buildings owned by the Duchy) and the Duke of Lancaster Housing Trust (which provides rural affordable housing).

b). The Duchy has not kept a record of any specific bequests in favour of the Duchy in the course of the last 30 years. If such a bequest were to be received, and in the absence of specific conditions attached to it, it is highly likely that the funds would be transferred to one of these Duchy charities.

9th Jan 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps that do not require legislation have been taken by her Department in response to its review of new psychoactive substances since its publication; and what further such steps she plans to take before the end of the present Parliament (a) overall and (b) relating to head shops.

In our response to the new psychoactive substances expert panel’s report, published on 30 October 2014, the Government set out a timetable for delivery of a number of the actions we are taking both under the present Parliament and beyond. Some of these have already been delivered. For example, Public Health England (PHE) has already delivered a new toolkit to help local areas to prevent and respond to the use of NPS. Other actions are underway, such as work with key enforcement partners to issue and/or update guidance to further tackle the supply of NPS generally as well as in "headshops". In addition, the Government continues to ensure that the Misuse of Drugs 1971 controls keep pace with the evolving NPS market. This includes controlling MT-45 and 4,4’-DMAR as Class A drugs under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.

Work has begun on developing legislative proposals for a general ban on new psychoactive substances similar to that introduced in Ireland. The Government is moving swiftly so that new legislation is ready to be introduced at the earliest opportunity, notwithstanding the lack of appropriate legislative vehicle in this Parliament. In addition, statutory consultation has been initiated with the ACMD on the legislative proposal to adopt a new definition to ban all synthetic cannabinoids based on their effects on the brain.

9th Jan 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the timetable is for implementation of each of the recommendations of her Department's review of new psychoactive substances.

In our response to the new psychoactive substances expert panel’s report, published on 30 October 2014, the Government set out a timetable for delivery of a number of the actions we are taking both under the present Parliament and beyond. Some of these have already been delivered. For example, Public Health England (PHE) has already delivered a new toolkit to help local areas to prevent and respond to the use of NPS. Other actions are underway, such as work with key enforcement partners to issue and/or update guidance to further tackle the supply of NPS generally as well as in "headshops". In addition, the Government continues to ensure that the Misuse of Drugs 1971 controls keep pace with the evolving NPS market. This includes controlling MT-45 and 4,4’-DMAR as Class A drugs under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.

Work has begun on developing legislative proposals for a general ban on new psychoactive substances similar to that introduced in Ireland. The Government is moving swiftly so that new legislation is ready to be introduced at the earliest opportunity, notwithstanding the lack of appropriate legislative vehicle in this Parliament. In addition, statutory consultation has been initiated with the ACMD on the legislative proposal to adopt a new definition to ban all synthetic cannabinoids based on their effects on the brain.

6th Jan 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 15 December 2014 to Question 217748, what assessment she has made of the implications for UK policy of the comments by William Brownfield on UN drug control conventions; and whether the Government plans to support the policy position expressed in those comments at international forums and the UN General Assembly.

The Coalition Government promotes a balanced and evidence-based approach to drug policy within the UN drug control conventions. As Ambassador Brownfield made clear, it is important that the international community respects the
integrity of UN conventions in this area. We will continue to champion our balanced drug strategy, which since 2010 has focused on reducing demand, restricting supply, and building recovery. This includes at international forums, including the forthcoming UN General Assembly Special Session on drugs in 2016.

8th Dec 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to the comments by US Assistant Secretary of State William Brownfield on 9 October 2014, on the UN drug control conventions, what recent discussions her Department has had with its US counterparts on drug policy.

The coalition government has regular conversations with the US Government through a range of bilateral and multilateral forums. We continue to work with the US to promote a modern, balanced and evidence-based international approach to drugs within the UN drug control conventions.

Home Office Ministers have meetings with a wide variety of international partners, as well as organisations and individuals in the public and private sectors, as part of the process of policy development and delivery. Details of these meetings are passed to the Cabinet Office on a quarterly basis and are subsequently published on the Gov.uk website: http://data.gov.uk/dataset/ministerial-data-home-office.

28th Jan 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what account he took of the fact that Killarney-Comércio Internacional, Lda is registered as an offshore company before deciding to proceed with the sale to them of the building until recently used as the Lewes Magistrates' Court; what due diligence was carried out into this company and its relationship with (a) Quora and (b) Whitbread Plc prior to the sale; and if he will make a statement.

The Ministry of Justice was aware of the relationship between Quora and Killarney-Comércio Internacional, Lda during commercial negotiations and before exchange of contracts. The application for planning permission was submitted under both names. The disposal, including due diligence, is carried out in accordance with central guidance on the disposal of surplus property assets and we will ensure we get the best value for the taxpayer. We remain in commercial negotiations as the sale has not yet been completed.

Whitbread PLC is not a party to the contract.