Clause 8 - Extended detention of suspected drug offenders
Drugs Bill
5:15 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)
I cannot answer that question now, but I shall look into it. I understand that some police forces already have certain types of equipment for the purposes that the clause tries to deal with—the passing of packages containing drugs. They also have protocols for using it, including those related to health and safety issues. There are clearly issues to consider in terms of the health risk to the detainee, which would have to be assessed by a suitably qualified medical practitioner. I do not want to reopen the debate about hospitals, but in some cases it may result in the detainee having to be transferred to hospital, if necessary. We can draw upon the custom and practice of Customs and Excise to assist us. What is proposed is just another tool to assist the police in their work.
Question put and agreed to.
Clause 8 ordered to stand part of the Bill.
Debate adjourned.—[Mr. Heppell.]
Adjourned accordingly at twenty minutes past Five o'clock till Thursday 3 February at ten minutes past Nine o'clock. The Committee consisted of the following Members: