Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Home Office

Oral Answers to Questions

Paul Flynn Excerpts
Monday 28th April 2014

(10 years, 6 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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James Brokenshire Portrait The Minister for Security and Immigration (James Brokenshire)
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My hon. Friend is right to highlight the important steps that the Government have taken in banning the detention of children. Indeed he will also recognise the work of the family returns panel, which analyses those cases to assess whether it is appropriate for a child to be returned and in what circumstances.

Paul Flynn Portrait Paul Flynn (Newport West) (Lab)
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The criminalisation of the drug mephedrone, once a legal high, resulted in a 300% increase in its use in my area. Will the Government look at the practical new approach that is being tried in New Zealand, whereby the responsibility for the safety of legal highs is being placed on those who profit from the sale of them?

Norman Baker Portrait Norman Baker
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The answer is that an international comparator study has been undertaken, and that includes talking to countries that have a whole range of different approaches, including New Zealand, Ireland and Portugal. We are assessing what works best with the object of minimising the harm from drug use.