Policing and Crime Bill

I support this amendment to the extent that I believe it is right that further research should be carried out. The noble Earl mentioned the possibility that a vessel of this kind might be used in a way that is almost as damaging as glass. However, we should certainly encourage the noble Lord to look into this question. This amendment deals with drinking vessels. It might be as well to include bottles, as whether they are drinking vessels may depend on the way in which they are used. I am sorry that my noble friend referred to Glasgow, perhaps following the use of the term "glassing". This certainly was a severe problem in Glasgow years ago. The answer to it that was produced at the time was very severe prison sentences. The judge who dealt with that problem meted out much more severe sentences than had previously been the case and reduced the incidence of the problem in Glasgow, at least for a short time.