Drug Pilot Meets Legal Limits; Myanmar Aid, Sanctions Pushed

High-Level Summary

Westminster Hall held two debates. The first considered the Scottish Affairs Committee’s report on Glasgow’s pilot Safer Drug Consumption Facility (the Thistle), covering early operational data, funding, the legal position under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 and potential inhalation spaces. The Minister for Policing and Crime said the UK has “no plans to amend the Misuse of Drugs Act” but will work with Scotland and consider the pilot’s evaluation when it concludes [ref: a204.0/11; a204.0/14]. The second debate examined persecution of religious minorities in Myanmar, with cross‑party calls for humanitarian access, sanctions and accountability; the Minister outlined UK aid, sanctions and support for international legal processes. No divisions took place; the first debate’s motion was agreed to, and the second debate lapsed at time.

Detailed Summary

Glasgow Safer Drug Consumption Facility (Scottish Affairs Committee report) — [Martin Vickers in the Chair]

Patricia Ferguson opened by presenting early results from the Thistle: 522 unique visitors, over 6,000 supervised injections, 78 on‑site medical emergencies and “no fatalities at the Thistle” [ref: a193.1/5]. She said the service’s impact is likely to be localised [ref: a193.1/6], noted Scottish Government funding for a three‑year pilot [ref: a193.1/7], and welcomed approval of a drug‑checking licence in October, adding applications from Aberdeen and Dundee are pending [ref: a193.1/10]. She stressed that the Lord Advocate’s prosecution policy “covers the Thistle facility and nowhere else” [ref: a193.1/23], urged openness to legal change—“Any intervention found to be effective at saving lives and reducing harm should not be dismissed.” [ref: a193.1/19]—and highlighted rising inhalation use; the Thistle lacks inhalation rooms, which are “prohibited under both reserved and devolved legislation” [ref: a193.1/26].

Dave Doogan supported an evidence‑led approach, citing the Government position of “no plans to amend the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971” [ref: a196.0/6], and argued the facility is saving lives: “There are people alive today who would likely not be with us were it not for the Thistle facility.” [ref: a196.0/11] John Grady backed the trial but pressed for community engagement, saying he had “an open mind” on an inhalation space [ref: a198.0/7] and that constituents were “utterly despondent at the increase in used needles” [ref: a198.0/9]. Will Forster advocated a health‑led approach nationally—“we need to move towards treating drug misuse as a health matter.” [ref: a199.0/4] Matt Vickers restated opposition to consumption rooms in England and Wales—“we do not support them” [ref: a201.0/6]—and quoted Police Scotland: “There is no ‘safe’ way to take drugs” [ref: a202.1/4]. Responding for the Government, the Minister said “we have no plans to amend the Misuse of Drugs Act” and will work positively with Scotland [ref: a204.0/11-12], adding “When the three‑year pilot of the Thistle is finished, we will of course look at that” [ref: a204.0/14], alongside investment in treatment—“We are investing £3.4 billion over the next three years” [ref: a204.0/6]. Outcome: motion agreed—“Question put and agreed to… Resolved” [ref: a206.0/8; a206.0/9-10]. Next steps referenced included the independent evaluation, pending drug‑checking applications, and Glasgow developing a business case for an inhalation space [ref: a193.1/12; a193.1/10; a193.1/27].

Backbench Business: Myanmar — Religious Minority Persecution — [Clive Betts in the Chair]

Jim Shannon framed freedom of religion or belief as “a foundational human right” and urged, “We must not allow Myanmar to become a forgotten crisis” [ref: a208.5/1; a208.5/3]. He cited attacks on religious sites, displacement and the Rohingya’s plight, and asked for regular UK assessments and accountability. Tan Dhesi called for coordinated action that is “urgently needed” [ref: a208.4/1]. Catherine West highlighted the humanitarian emergency and attacks on healthcare, quoting Médecins Sans Frontières: “Bombing of health facilities… cannot be perceived as collateral damage” [ref: a213.0/8], and said “16 million people will require lifesaving assistance in 2026” [ref: a213.0/6]. Shockat Adam urged action against external enablers, said the junta controls about 20% of territory [ref: a214.0/9], and that regional aid had fallen “by 85%… from more than £112 million to just £16.9 million” [ref: a214.0/12]. Luke Akehurst warned planned elections are a sham, quoting the junta: “Whether the international community is satisfied or not, is irrelevant.” [ref: a216.0/7] Brendan O’Hara linked abuses to Burmanisation, referring to the UN’s description of an “ongoing genocide” [ref: a218.0/4].

Minister Seema Malhotra set out UK assistance: the UK provided “£66.5 million” in 2024‑25 and “£80 million this financial year” for Myanmar aid, and “no UK aid goes to the Myanmar military” [ref: a226.1/7]. On Rohingya support in Bangladesh, she said the UK has contributed “£447 million since 2017” [ref: a227.1/2]. She stated the UK has “imposed sanctions on 25 individuals and 39 entities” since the coup [ref: a226.1/5], is funding evidence preservation via the IIMM and Myanmar Witness [ref: a229.1/2], and that there is currently “not sufficient support… for an ICC referral” at the UN Security Council [ref: a229.1/3]. Outcome: debate concluded without a vote—“Motion lapsed, and sitting adjourned” [ref: a230.0/8]. The Minister said the UK would continue sanctions, aid and international engagement, and noted the UK’s submissions to the ICJ and monitoring of proceedings [ref: a229.1/4].