Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is taking to control the sale of legal highs on the internet.

The Government introduced the Psychoactive Substances Bill before the House on 21 July 2015. This legislation, which makes the sale, import,distribution or manufacture of Psychoactive substances a criminal offence, will apply to both online and offline markets.

The National Crime Agency and the police routinely monitor the unlawful sales of psychoactive substances and take robust action to close UK-based websites where they are found to be committing offences under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. Considerable illegal activity also takes place on the internet outside of UK jurisdiction and we will continue to work with international partners to develop an effective response to the supply of controlled drugs and to react swiftly to emerging threats.