Sir Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she has recently received representations from the (a) Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs, (b) Royal College of Psychiatrists and (c) Department of Health on the potential clinical use of psilocybin under controlled conditions to treat serious psychiatric illness.  [85687]

[Due for Answer on 3 November. Answered on 4 November.]

ANSWER

The Minister of State for Policing and Crime (Sarah Jones): No recent representations on the potential clinical use of psilocybin to treat psychiatric illness have been made to the Home Office by the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs, Royal College of Psychiatrists or the Department of Health and Social Care. The Government recognises that studies into the potential use of psilocybin as part of the treatment for mental health conditions have been or are being conducted in the UK under Home Office licence. On 16 July, the Government responded to recommendations from the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) on how best to reduce barriers to clinical research with Schedule 1 drugs, such as psilocybin.