The Government recognises that there are many legitimate uses for nitrous oxide in a wide range of sectors, including, but not limited to, medical, industrial and catering.<\/p>
That is why we will shortly publish a consultation to understand the full range and scale of legitimate uses of nitrous oxide.<\/p>
The consultation will enable the Government to design a legal framework that continues to enable legitimate uses and minimises the impact on businesses and individuals.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4503", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Chris Philp"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Croydon South"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Chris Philp"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2023-04-28", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2023-04-28T09:14:11.033Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2023-04-19", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Nitrous Oxide: Sales"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to her oral contribution of 27 March 2023, Official Report, column 666, on the Antisocial Behaviour Action Plan, whether she plans to permit the sale of nitrous oxide for domestic culinary purposes.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4532", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Derek Thomas"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "St Ives"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Derek Thomas"} ], "uin" : "181561"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1583285", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Home Office"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1583285/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
On 3 September 2021, the Government asked the independent statutory advisory body, the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD), to provide an updated assessment of the harms of nitrous oxide, including advice on whether it should be controlled under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.<\/p>
The ACMD is independent of Government and can provide a broad range of recommendations, including advice on regulatory or legislative changes. The Government will consider the ACMD advice carefully before deciding how to proceed.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4503", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Chris Philp"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Croydon South"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Chris Philp"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2023-02-09", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2023-02-09T14:47:32.727Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2023-02-02", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Nitrous Oxide: Sales"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what plans the Government has to ban the sale of nitrous oxide canisters.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4439", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Alberto Costa"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "South Leicestershire"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Alberto Costa"} ], "uin" : "138335"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1582875", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Home Office"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1582875/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
Supply of nitrous oxide for legitimate medical and industrial purposes is lawful. Nitrous oxide has legitimate uses, such as in medicine, dentistry and as a propellant for whipped cream canisters.<\/p>
However, those who supply nitrous oxide knowing or reckless as to whether it is likely to be used for its psychoactive effect, are committing an offence under the Psychoactive Substances Act 2016. This includes a maximum custodial sentence of seven years\u2019 imprisonment.<\/p>
On 3 September 2021, the Government asked the independent statutory advisory body, the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD), to provide an updated assessment of the harms of nitrous oxide, including advice on whether it should be controlled under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.<\/p>
The ACMD is independent of Government and can provide a broad range of recommendations, including advice on regulatory or legislative changes. The Government will consider the ACMD advice carefully before deciding how to proceed.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4503", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Chris Philp"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Croydon South"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Chris Philp"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2023-02-06", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2023-02-06T17:42:47.563Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2023-02-01", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Nitrous Oxide: Sales"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of restricting the sale of nitrous oxide canisters by suppliers to nominated businesses only; and if she will make a statement.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/253", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mr Laurence Robertson"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Tewkesbury"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Mr Laurence Robertson"} ], "uin" : "137715"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1454945", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Home Office"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1454945/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The Government takes the supply of substances for their psychoactive effect seriously. There are legitimate uses for nitrous oxide, such as in medicine, dentistry and as a propellant for whipped cream canisters, but those who supply nitrous oxide who know, or who are reckless as to whether, it will be used for its psychoactive effect may be subject to a maximum sentence of seven years\u2019 imprisonment, an unlimited fine, or both under the Psychoactive Substances Act 2016.<\/p>
On 3 September, the Government asked the independent statutory advisory body, the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs, to provide an updated assessment of the harms of nitrous oxide, including whether it should be controlled under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. The ACMD is independent of Government and provides a broad range of recommendations, including advice on legislative changes. The Government will consider the ACMD\u2019s advice carefully before deciding how to proceed.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4495", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Kit Malthouse"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "North West Hampshire"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Kit Malthouse"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2022-03-31", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2022-03-31T11:45:00.82Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2022-03-28", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Nitrous Oxide: Sales"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she Department has taken to help control the sale of nitrous oxide.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4844", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Matt Vickers"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Stockton South"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Matt Vickers"} ], "uin" : "148435"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/997561", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Home Office"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/997561/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The Psychoactive Substances Act 2016 (2016 Act) bans the sale, supply, production and distribution of psychoactive substances, such as nitrous oxide, for human consumption<\/p>
The Crown Prosecution Service continues to prosecute cases involving nitrous oxide under the 2016 Act successfully. The Government continue to work closely with the CPS, law enforcement and scientific experts to ensure that prosecutions of cases under the 2016 Act are supported by the best available evidence.<\/p>
Since the 2016 Act came into force, over 300 retailers across the United Kingdom have either closed down or are no longer selling psychoactive substances and action by the National Crime Agency has resulted in the removal of psychoactive substances being sold by UK based websites. In 2016, there were 28 convictions in England and Wales and seven people jailed under the new powers. This rose to 152 convictions in 2017 with 62 people immediately sent to custody.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4399", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Victoria Atkins"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Louth and Horncastle"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Victoria Atkins"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2018-11-05", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2018-11-05T17:35:11.793Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2018-10-30", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Nitrous Oxide: Sales"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent assessment he has made of the adequacy of the legal framework governing the sale of nitrous oxide for the protection of public health and safety.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4621", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Darren Jones"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Bristol North West"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Darren Jones"} ], "uin" : "185736"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/62953", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Home Office"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/62953/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
<\/p>
The Government has no plans to review the definition of butane in the Cigarette
Lighter Refill (Safety) Regulations 1999.
We recently wrote to all summer festival organisers to highlight concerns we
have about the availability of gases such as nitrous oxide at festivals and
asked them to take steps to prevent the sale of these gases. We have received a
number of positive responses to this request.
Nitrous oxide has a number of legitimate medical and industrial uses, but any
suggestion of misuse, particularly by young people is of concern. It is
currently an offence to sell any gas for the purpose of causing intoxication to
anyone under the age of 18, including over the internet, under the Intoxicating
Substances (Supply) Act 1985.<\/p>
<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/28", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Norman Baker"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Lewes"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Norman Baker"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2014-06-30", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "groupedQuestionUIN" : {"_value" : "201478"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2014-06-30T16:17:18.4466167Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2014-06-19", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Nitrous Oxide: Sales"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what actions she is taking to restrict sales of nitrous oxide (a) at festivals and nightclubs and (b) through the internet.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/533", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Hanson of Flint"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Delyn"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Mr David Hanson"} ], "uin" : "201545"} ], "itemsPerPage" : 10, "page" : 0, "startIndex" : 1, "totalResults" : 6, "type" : ["http://purl.org/linked-data/api/vocab#ListEndpoint", "http://purl.org/linked-data/api/vocab#Page"]} }