Nitrous Oxide

Baroness Winterton of Doncaster Excerpts

Monday 13th April 2026 Lords Chamber

[Lord Hanson of Flint (Lab)]

As the noble Lord has mentioned, there are a number of legitimate uses for nitrous oxide: medical, dental and veterinary uses, food sector uses in cafés and for amateur bakers, as a fuel additive for motor racing and for academic research. The legislation passed under his Government has tried to get the balance right between legitimate and illegitimate use. As I said a moment ago to the noble Lord, Lord Storey, the number of convictions for illegal use and supply has increased significantly. That is an area the police are focused on. We keep all matters under review, but the legislation was passed only some three years ago and I think it is right that we let it take its course.

[Baroness Winterton of Doncaster (Lab)]

My Lords, it is very welcome that the rates of illegal use have gone down and convictions have gone up. But, following on from the points made by the noble Lord, Lord Storey, does my noble friend the Minister agree that there can be a tension between young people seeking help or wanting to report a crime and a fear of prosecution when doing so? Can he ensure that there are ways to overcome that tension—perhaps through confidential helplines or specially designated teachers, police officers or social workers—ensuring that people can come forward for help or to report issues without fearing that they might be prosecuted?

[Lord Hanson of Flint (Lab)]

It is a very real tension that my noble friend mentions. It is important, particularly in a school or youth club context, that young people who see the use of nitrous oxide have an opportunity to talk to a teacher, parent or youth worker, both to understand the consequences of that use and to find mechanisms to help other young people stop using that product. We keep strongly under review a whole range of mechanisms. Both the Department for Education in England and the Department of Health look at information and support to young people to help meet the very objective that my noble friend has mentioned.