Devolution of Drugs Policy 2023-09-13
2023-09-13
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The issue of devolving drug policies from the UK Government to the Scottish Government has been raised due to regional differences and local expertise.
What discussions he has held with Cabinet colleagues and the Scottish Government on the devolution of drugs policy to Scotland.
Illicit drugs destroy lives and devastate communities. The United Kingdom Government's 10-year drug strategy sets out ambitious plans, backed by a record £3 billion over three years, to tackle the supply of illicit drugs and build a world-class system of treatment and recovery. This is a UK-wide strategy, and there are no plans to devolve drugs policy to the Scottish Government.
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Assessment & feedback
Whether discussions have taken place on devolving drug policies to Scotland
This Is A Uk-Wide Strategy
No Plans
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The Lord Advocate has announced that she will not prosecute drug users for simple possession offences committed within a pilot safer drugs consumption facility. Both the Home Affairs Committee and the Scottish Affairs Committee have recommended the UK Government support such a pilot.
When will the Secretary of State act to save lives in Scotland by persuading his Government to drop their intransigence on this issue, given cross-party Committees' recommendations?
It was disappointing that the Scottish Government were not prepared to work with the UK Government on Project ADDER. That offer was made with supporting funding. The E in ADDER is for “enforcement”. I believe the police and the Procurator Fiscal Service should be enforcing the laws in Scotland, not decriminalising drugs, because enforcement helps drive people to health solutions.
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Assessment & feedback
Whether the Secretary of State will persuade his government to allow a pilot safer drugs consumption facility
Disappointing
Not Prepared To Work With
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
The Minister did not answer a previous question about discussions on advancing the pilot drug consumption scheme. The Scottish Government are ready and willing to work with the UK Government.
Despite Cabinet colleagues denouncing its effectiveness, what recent discussions has he had with the Scottish Government on advancing this pilot scheme?
Drug consumption rooms are not the easy solution hon. Members may think they are. There is no safe way to take illegal drugs. Drugs devastate lives, ruin families and damage communities. The UK Government believe that the police and the Procurator Fiscal Service should fully enforce the law. However, I say to the hon. Lady that if the Scottish Government and the Lord Advocate decide to proceed with a pilot on DCRs, the UK Government will not intervene.
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Assessment & feedback
Recent discussions on advancing the pilot drug consumption scheme
Not Easy Solution
No Safe Way
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
The Secretary of State faces a challenge if rules on legal and illegal drugs differ across the UK. There are concerns about differing drug laws within the United Kingdom.
Will he assure me that he will not look to devolve drugs policy, and instead get the Scottish Government to focus on their own responsibilities?
My hon. Friend makes a very good point. Drug deaths in Scotland are three times higher than the UK average, despite the laws being the same across the UK. I do not believe drug consumption rooms are the panacea to those problems, but we absolutely must have drugs laws that work across the whole United Kingdom because it is a UK-wide problem.
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Assessment & feedback
Assurance on not devolving drugs policy
Very Good Point
Drug Deaths Higher
Response accuracy
Q5
Partial Answer
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Context
The Lord Advocate's statement on Monday is seen as a game changer, removing an obstacle to a pilot drug consumption facility. The Secretary of State has been equivocal about supporting the pilot.
Will he support and work with the Scottish Government to see this pilot project through?
I think I have been clear. I have been clear that the UK Government's policy is not to proceed with drug consumption rooms. We believe, as I have said, that drugs devastate families and destroy communities. I was very clear about those things, but I am also very clear that the Lord Advocate and the Scottish Government appear to have achieved a workaround that allows them to have a pilot drug consumption room, probably in Glasgow, and the United Kingdom Government will not intervene in that.
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Assessment & feedback
Support for the pilot project
Policy Is Not To Proceed
Will Not Intervene
Response accuracy
Q6
Direct Answer
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Context
The Secretary of State has been asked about intervening in decisions made by the Scottish Government on drug consumption rooms. There is concern over administrative or legislative interventions.
Can we therefore be clear that he will say, on behalf of the UK Government, that he will not use any administrative or legislative means to frustrate or block this pilot policy by the Scottish Government?
I am very popular today. I will be with SNP Members in particular when I say that the answer is yes.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy