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Mrs. Gillan: I am disappointed because the Home Office's drugs and alcohol research unit was supposed to embark on a detailed study to assess the level of harm in September 2003, and a final report was due by September 2004.
I notice that we are getting towards the close of the Committee, so while I am on my feet I hope that the Minister agrees with me that we have been well served by all the members of the Committee and the staff who have been keeping watch over us, including the Hansard reporters, the Clerk, our two Chairmen and the Minister's officials, who were helpful to me during the initial stages of the Bill.
Caroline Flint: I shall get my thank yous in quickly to you and your officials, Mr. Gale, to my officials and everyone who has served on the Committee for a stimulating and exciting debate on drugs, which I hope has been a learning curve for some. I am minded to ask the ACMD to advise us and go into detail on classification, but that should not stop what we are doing in the Home Office to engage with the communities concerned and carry out our own research.
As the hon. Lady indicated, I am not prepared to accept the new clause. I have listened to my hon. Friends the Members for Falkirk, West (Mr. Joyce), for Glasgow, Cathcart (Mr. Harris), for Bolton, South-East and for Barnsley, West and Penistone, and it is clear from their experiences, which match our data, that the reclassification of cannabis has not resulted in the doom and gloom predicted by the Opposition.
The reality is that there has been approximately a one-third decrease in arrests for cannabis possession, and we have saved some 199,000 hours of police time nationally. There has been a rise in possession figures because street warning and confiscation are easier and more efficient than arrest. Reclassification has not stopped the police engaging with people using cannabis in the street; it has led to them confiscating more cannabis from people. As the police do not have to go through the process of arrest if it is not a case of flagrant abuse in the street, they have been eager to deal with it quickly there and then. In terms of young people's understandings, our evaluations show that 93 per cent. of under-18s understood that cannabis was illegal.
As long as the hon. Members for North-West Norfolk and for Upminster (Angela Watkinson) continue to peddle their distortions on what we have done in relation to cannabis—
Mrs. Gillan: On a point of order, Mr. Gale. I should like to vote on new clause 4. Could you advise on how best to achieve that?
Column Number: 217
It being five minutes to Six o'clock, The Chairman proceeded, pursuant to Standing Order 83D and the Order of the Committee [27 January] to put forthwith the Question already proposed from the Chair.
Question put, That the clause be read a Second time:—
The Committee divided: Ayes 4, Noes 7.
Division No. 6]
AYES
Bellingham, Mr. Henry
Blunt, Mr. Crispin
Gillan, Mrs. Cheryl
Watkinson, Angela
NOES
Clapham, Mr. Michael
Flint, Caroline
Heppell, Mr. John
Iddon, Dr. Brian
Pope, Mr. Greg
Taylor, Ms Dari
Todd, Mr. Mark
Question accordingly negatived.
New clause 4
CLASSIFICATION OF CANNABIS AS CLASS B
'(1) Schedule 2 to the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971[2] (which specifies the drugs which are subject to control under that Act) shall be amended as follows.
(2) In paragraph (a) of Part I of that Schedule, insert at an appropriate place ''Cannabinol, except where contained in cannabis or cannabis resin'' and ''Cannabinol derivatives''.
(3) In paragraph (a) of Part II of that Schedule, insert at an appropriate place ''Cannabis and cannabis resin'' shall be deleted.
Column Number: 218
(4) In paragraph (a) of Part III of that Schedule, ''Cannabinol'', ''Cannabinol derivatives'' and ''Cannabis and cannabis resin'' shall be deleted.
(5) In paragraph 1(d) of Part III of that Schedule, ''cannabinol or a cannabinol derivative'' shall be deleted.'. —[Mrs. Gillan.]
Brought up, and read the First time.
Motion made, and Question put, That the clause be read a Second time:—
The Committee divided: Ayes 4, Noes 7.
Division No. 7]
AYES
Bellingham, Mr. Henry
Blunt, Mr. Crispin
Gillan, Mrs. Cheryl
Watkinson, Angela
NOES
Clapham, Mr. Michael
Flint, Caroline
Heppell, Mr. John
Iddon, Dr. Brian
Pope, Mr. Greg
Taylor, Ms Dari
Todd, Mr. Mark
Question accordingly negatived.
The Chairman: I thank members of the Committee for the courtesy and good humour with which they have conducted proceedings. On behalf of the Committee I offer my thanks to the officers of the House.
Bill, as amended, to be reported.
Committee rose at three minutes to Six o'clock.
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