UK Parliament / Open data

Psychoactive Substances Bill [HL]

My Lords, whatever I may think about the general principle of the legislation, if we are to have it, I am sure it is right that there should be aggravated offences where the interests and protection of children are concerned. I support the extension of that principle to prisoners. I applaud my noble friends for tabling their amendments and other noble Lords for their amendments, and for supporting the various amendments in this group.

I say to the noble Lord, Lord Blencathra, who is set fair to close down the whole country, as far as I can see, that I understand that one of the difficulties that prison governors now face is that it has become a not uncommon practice for family members to send letters to prisoners on paper which they have previously soaked in a psychoactive substance. When the prisoner receives the letter, the thing to do is to smoke it. Therefore, this is not as straightforward an issue as the noble Lord, of course, with his experience, very well knows. However, these are good amendments and should be supported.

6.45 pm

Type
Proceeding contribution
Reference
764 c511 
Session
2015-16
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
Subjects
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