asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will have consultations with (a the Association of British Social Workers, (b) the National Society for Mentally Handicapped Children and Adults, (c) National Association for Mental Health, (d) the Medical Practitioners Union, (e) social services departments, (f) the Transport and General Workers Union, (g) the Confederation of Health Service Employees, (h) the National Union of Public Employees and (i) the General Municipal, Boilermakers and Allied Trades Union about the possible rescheduling of benzodiazepine drugs under the United Nations convention on psychotropic substances.

My right hon. and learned Friend will be considering shortly how these drugs should be scheduled under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 and he will be happy to take into consideration, at this stage, any comments which any organisation may wish to put to him