Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Devolution of Drugs Policy

Wednesday 13 September 2023 · 6 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Ministerial discussions focused on the UK Government's 10-year drug strategy, emphasizing enforcement and funding.
  • The Scottish Government's reluctance to collaborate on Project ADDER was highlighted due to disagreements on enforcement methods.
  • The UK Government committed not to use administrative or legislative means to obstruct the Scottish Government's pilot policy on drug consumption rooms.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Marion Fellows SNP
Scotland
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.

Question

What discussions he has held with Cabinet colleagues and the Scottish Government on the devolution of drugs policy to Scotland.

Answer from Alister Jack

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Whether discussions have taken place on devolving drug policies to Scotland

How: This Is A Uk-Wide Strategy, No Plans

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Q2 Joanna Cherry SNP
Scotland
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.

Question

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?

Answer from Alister Jack

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.

Not addressed: Whether the Secretary of State will persuade his government to allow a pilot safer drugs consumption facility

How: Disappointing, Not Prepared To Work With

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Q3 Marion Fellows SNP
Scotland
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.

Question

Despite Cabinet colleagues denouncing its effectiveness, what recent discussions has he had with the Scottish Government on advancing this pilot scheme?

Answer from Alister Jack

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Recent discussions on advancing the pilot drug consumption scheme

How: Not Easy Solution, No Safe Way

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Q4 Kevin Foster Con
Scotland
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.

Question

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?

Answer from Alister Jack

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.

Not addressed: Assurance on not devolving drugs policy

How: Very Good Point, Drug Deaths Higher

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Q5 Tommy Sheppard SNP
Scotland
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.

Question

Will he support and work with the Scottish Government to see this pilot project through?

Answer from Alister Jack

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Support for the pilot project

How: Policy Is Not To Proceed, Will Not Intervene

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Q6 Tommy Sheppard SNP
Scotland
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.

Question

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?

Answer from Alister Jack

I am very popular today. I will be with SNP Members in particular when I say that the answer is yes.

Answered
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