Drugs Bill
2:30 pm
Ms Caroline Flint (Parliamentary Under-Secretary (reducing organised and international crime, anti drugs co-ordination and international and European issues), Home Office; Don Valley, Labour)
The hon. Gentleman makes a good point, and, as I said earlier, our consideration when considering the issue was recognising that many schools are no longer just buildings used to support young people in their activities during the school day, or the school term, but are more and more engaged in their out-of-school activities as well, which is why the clause is phrased in such a way to capture those times when schools are being used by young people under 18. People might say in their defence that they did not know, but they will have to justify that.
I tried to give some examples this morning of an issue that is pertinent to the amendment, and to all amendments regarding this issue—that what would fall within ''the vicinity of the school'' may differ from area to area. Part of the guidance will focus on the risk for young people and children of exposure or contact within the vicinity of a school. That will vary from one community to another. A distance in itself may be applicable, but other factors may need to be taken into account. Our main focus when developing the guidelines will be to determine whether a place falls within the vicinity of a school and will pose a risk to the children when they attend that school.
I listened to what hon. Members said this morning and I will consider whether it might be possible to arrive at a definition. However, because the risks may vary from one place to another, it may be difficult to insert a prescriptive definition in the Bill. I will consider the general issue of defining what we mean by vicinity and the issues that will inform the more detailed guidance.