Written question asked by Christopher Chope (Conservative) on Friday, 18 February 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 23 February 2005. It was answered by Paul Goggins (Labour) on Wednesday, 23 February 2005 on behalf of the Home Office.

Home Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the incidence of smoking in prisons in England and Wales was in the last period for which figures are available. (Holding answer 21 February 2005).

Answer: Mr. Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the incidence of smoking in prisons in England and Wales was in the last period for which figures are available. [217209] Paul Goggins :[holding answer 21 February 2005]: This information is not routinely collected. In 1999 the report by the Office for National Statistics "Substance Misuse Among Prisoners in England and Wales" recorded that 78 per cent. of male sentenced, 85 per cent. of male remand, 81 per cent. of female sentenced and 83 per cent. of female remand prisoners were current smokers.

Secondary information