Psychoactive Substances

Debate between Norman Baker and Lord Tyrie

Monday 11th November 2013 Commons Chamber

[Norman Baker]

It would be helpful if this House passed a reasoned opinion, and there was certainly support in the other place in a debate earlier this evening. I know that other member states have similar views, whether or not they are in favour of the Commission’s proposals, on the justification for this particular legal base. I am hopeful that good sense will emerge as a consequence.

[Mr Andrew Tyrie (Chichester) (Con)]

Can the Minister say when in the past we have succeeded in winning an argument of this type on the basis of the subsidiarity case?

[Norman Baker]

I am not an expert on the history of EU legislation, fortunately, but this case seems to me to be somewhat blatant and rather clear-cut, so I am certainly hopeful that we will make progress on this occasion, not least because of the support from other member states.