Written question asked by Lord Callaghan of Cardiff (Labour), in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Friday, 29 November 1996. It was answered by Ann Widdecombe (Conservative) on Friday, 29 November 1996 on behalf of the Home Office.

Home Office;Prison Service

Question: How many drug searches in HM prisons have resulted in finds in 1994 and 1995. - Text of letter from Richard Tilt of Prison Service Agency and includes figures.

Answer: Mr. Callaghan: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many drug searchers in Her Majesty's prisons have resulted in finds in 1994 and 1995; and if he will make a statement. [5892] Miss Widdecombe: Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given. Letter from Richard Tilt to Mr Jim Callaghan, dated 29 November 1996: The Home Secretary has asked me, in the absence of the Director General from the office, to reply to your recent Question about drug searchers. In 1994, of the drug finds reported to Prison Service Headquarters, 5355 were as the result of searchers. In 1995 this figure was 7197.

Secondary information