Clause 8 - Extended detention of suspected drug offenders
Drugs Bill
12:00 pm
Mr Alistair Carmichael (Shadow Minister (Northern Ireland), Northern Ireland Affairs; Orkney and Shetland, Liberal Democrat)
The Minister's point about an accused person being able to avoid the provisions by refusing is a good one and her objection is well founded on that count. However, I wonder whether it might not still be possible to make the Bill somewhat stronger. Would it be possible to make it clear to police officers, through guidance notes, for example, that in all but the most exceptional circumstances an X-ray or ultrasound scan should be carried out? We are talking about a fairly draconian power and we have already given the power of X-ray and ultrasound. Parliament is entitled to expect that power to be used unless there is a good reason why not.