John Gilroy (Labour)

I have put a lot of thought into whether it is worthwhile raising this issue and, against my better judgment, have come to the decision that it is. In so doing I run the risk of giving an accomplished self-promoter even more publicity, but it is probably worth doing. Yesterday I spoke about the publication by the National Advisory Committee on Drugs of a report highlighting the dangers and risks involved in using high potency cannabis grown in this country. I asked the Leader if we could have a debate on the issue - a responsible debate was what I was seeking. This morning, when I opened my newspaper, I found some rather foolish comments made by a Member of the other House who drew inferences and conclusions from the report. The comments of the Member of the other House seem to have been aimed at self-promotion rather than seeking a proper debate on the issue. While the Leader has agreed to arrange a debate some time in the new year, I urge him to arrange it as a matter of urgency; it should take place sooner rather than later because in the absence of responsible and mature reflection on the issue, the airwaves will be dominated by irresponsible comment.