Written question asked by George Howarth (Labour), in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 11 March 1997. It was answered by Ann Widdecombe (Conservative) on Tuesday, 11 March 1997 on behalf of the Home Office.

Home Office;Prison Service

Question: Pursuant to his Answer of 29th January, Official Report, column 211W, what methodology the research project carried out by the National Addiction Centre will use; if it will include recommendations for future Prison Service drug policy in its final report; and if he will publish the results of the research. - Including text of letter from Hugh Taylor of the Prison Service Agency.

Answer: Mr. Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 29 January, Official Report, column 211, what methodology the research project carried out by the national addiction centre will use; if it will include recommendations for future Prison Service drug policy in its final report; and if he will publish the results of the research. [18748] 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 Hugh Taylor to Mr. George Howarth, dated 11 March 1997: The Home Secretary has asked me, in the absence of the Director General from the office, to reply to your recent question about the research project being carried out by the National Addiction Centre. The researchers have been asked to compare information on the prevalence of drug misuse in prison obtained from The Mandatory Drug Testing programme, the specific characteristics of the drugs in use in prison and information on the criminal and other background of prisoners, with a view to identifying factors and trends in prisoner drug abuse while in prison. Where appropriate the researchers have been asked to make recommendations on future Prison Service Drugs policy. Generally findings of research in prisons are published.

Secondary information