I'm often asked why sometimes the Chamber of the House of Commons isn't full during debates or questions, and the answer is that we spend a lot of our time in Committees, considering line-by-line scrutiny of Bills and statutory instruments (SI), as well as all the various meetings we have both in person and online.
I've just been on one of those Committees today, acting as Whip and voting for an measure which added 20 substances to the banned list, following advice from the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD).
Minister Chris Philp also confirmed that the independent ACMD are currently looking at reclassifying monkey dust to Class A, following my campaigning on this alongside my colleagues from Stoke-on-Trent, Jonathan Gullis MP and Jack Brereton MP.
Residents will be aware that I have previously spoken out about the damage being caused in Newcastle-under-Lyme and Stoke-on-Trent by Monkey Dust. There have been a number of deaths associated with its use, and a great deal of criminal and anti-social behaviour such as criminal damage and breaking and entering. I know how intimidating the behaviour caused by Monkey Dust can be for those wanting to spend time in our town centre.
I firmly believe that the best way to drive these dangerous drugs off our streets is by increasing the classification of this drug, which will mean harsher sentences for those supplying the drug and stronger powers for the police, making dealing this drug less and less appealing to criminals.