Commons Sense

House of Commons · Public Bill Committee

- Sitting 1

02 December 2020

Proposed by Lyn Brown Lab West Ham

Justice & CourtsStandards & Ethics

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

At a glance

Key points

  • Lyn Brown discusses a new clause aimed at improving the assessment and monitoring of a Bill related to psychoactive substances in prisons.
  • Brown requests the Minister to publish an assessment on the impact, value for money, and implementation of the Bill within a year after it comes into force.
  • Brown calls for regular reports from the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs regarding substance misuse in prisons.

Issue summary

Lyn Brown discusses a new clause aimed at improving the assessment and monitoring of a Bill related to psychoactive substances in prisons.

Action requested

Brown requests that the Minister publish an assessment on the impact, value for money, and implementation of the Bill within a year after it comes into force. She also calls for regular reports from the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs regarding substance misuse in prisons and proposes ways to enhance transparency and scrutiny over drug testing procedures.

Key facts

  • New clause 1 would require an assessment by the Government.
  • 11% of prison inmates receiving substance misuse treatment have problems with NPSs, up from 5% in 2015-16.
  • The Bill removes the requirement for Parliament to be involved in adding new substances to the testing regime.
  • New clause 2 proposes biannual reports by the Advisory Council on Misuse of Drugs.
  • Internal body scanners and extra staffing have been introduced at high traffic prisons recently.
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