The Government is absolutely clear that abusive or threatening behaviour, stalking or harassment, are totally unacceptable, whether online or offline. A number of offences may be committed by misusing the internet or social media in this way, in particular under section 1 of the Malicious Communications Act 1988 or section 127 of the Communications Act 2003. Changes to the law in the Criminal Justice and Courts Bill will help to ensure that people who commit those offences are prosecuted and properly punished.

Stalking causes misery for victims. That is why in 2012 we added to the Protection from Harassment Act 1997 two new specific offences of stalking (section 2A) and stalking involving fear of violence or serious alarm or distress (section 4A), the latter of which is punishable by up to five years in prison, or a fine, or both. Online stalking or harassment could amount to one of these offences if it is carried out as part of a ‘course of conduct’ which amounts to stalking, and could amount to the more serious offence if that course of conduct puts someone in fear of violence, or if it causes them serious alarm or distress which has a substantial adverse effect on their usual day-to-day activities

The number of defendants proceeded against at magistrates' courts and found

guilty at all courts for offences relating to the Computer Misuse Act 1990,

from 1990 to 2013 (latest data available), can be viewed in the table.

Information held centrally by the Ministry of Justice on the Court Proceedings Database does not include the circumstances behind each case beyond the description provided in the statute. It is not possible to separately identify from this centrally held information convictions and sentences involving the use or misuse of social media, or cyber crime. This detailed information may be held on the court record but due to the size and complexity is not reported centrally to the MoJ. As such, the information requested can only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

Court proceedings data for 2014 are planned for publication in May 2015.

‘Sativex’ is a medicinal product derived from cannabis, a controlled Class B Schedule 1 drug, and is subject to the same control restrictions under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.

The Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) has published advice to Government on cannabis and, for the purposes of scheduling under the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001 (as amended), Sativex. This advice can be found at:

www.homeoffice.gov.uk/agencies-public-bodies/acmd/

The Government have accepted the ACMD’s advice that Sativex has a low misuse potential and should be re-scheduled to Schedule 4 of the 2001 Regulations.

The Home Office and its agencies do not hold any contracts with GW Pharmaceuticals. I am unable to comment on contractual arrangements between other Departments and third parties.

‘Sativex’ is a medicinal product derived from cannabis, a controlled Class B Schedule 1 drug, and is subject to the same control restrictions under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.

The Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) has published advice to Government on cannabis and, for the purposes of scheduling under the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001 (as amended), Sativex. This advice can be found at:

www.homeoffice.gov.uk/agencies-public-bodies/acmd/

The Government have accepted the ACMD’s advice that Sativex has a low misuse potential and should be re-scheduled to Schedule 4 of the 2001 Regulations.

The Home Office and its agencies do not hold any contracts with GW Pharmaceuticals. I am unable to comment on contractual arrangements between other Departments and third parties.

Police forces need to tackle crime in line with local priorities and from November 2012 the election of police and crime commissioners will help drive down crime by making policing more accountable and responsive to local needs and concerns. Police.uk now provides the public with street-level information about crime to enable them to hold local policing teams to account. The Government has swept away central targets and is cutting bureaucracy to help free police officers to cut crime. At a national level, the creation of the National Crime Agency will make the UK a hostile environment for serious and organised criminality.

In relation specifically to drug misusing offenders, the Drug Interventions Programme (DIP) is a centrally funded crime reduction programme which has been running since 2003. The programme provides interventions for drug misusing offenders across England and Wales at relevant points during their contact with the criminal justice system, including police custody, court, prison, and probation.

Home Office funding for the DIP currently pays for police staff to carry out drug testing to identify drug misusing offenders among those arrested or charged, and ensure they seek support. In addition, the Home Office and Department of Health jointly provide funding to local areas for the employment of drug workers to assess and refer people into the appropriate treatment and recovery services. The programme managed nearly 63,000 individuals into treatment and recovery services in England and Wales in 2010-11, and research has shown significant reductions in offending by individuals in contact with the programme.