Dr Brian Iddon (Bolton South East, Labour)

I join DrugScope, Turning Point and others in applauding the Government for repealing section 38 of the Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001, which extended section 8 of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 to include all illegal drugs, and which caused, at the time, great concern to those in the caring communities. Will my hon. Friend make it clear to people in the caring communities—particularly those who care for drug misusers and addicts—that section 8 still applies as it did previously? Will she point out the consequences of the Bill, assuming that it is passed? I think that that should be made clear.

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)

Yes, I shall make that clear. We did not want people who work with drug misusers to be prosecuted for committing an offence because a drug user ends up using drugs in a care environment or on other premises, and it is important to clarify that. The Government's antisocial behaviour measures and powers to shut down crack houses have allowed us to ensure that there is a more appropriate way of dealing with illegal drug use on premises, and I understand that section 8 will continue to apply.

Question accordingly agreed to.

Clause 23 ordered to stand part of the Bill.

Clause 24 ordered to stand part of the Bill.

Schedules 1 and 2 agreed to.