Written question asked by Brian Iddon (Labour) on Monday, 29 June 1998, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 13 July 1998. It was answered by George Howarth (Labour) on Monday, 13 July 1998 on behalf of the Home Office.

Home Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, What assessment he has made of the results of random drug tests in prisons. - Inc figs.

Answer: Dr. Iddon: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the results of random drug tests in prisons. [48410] Mr. Alan Howarth: There has been a reduction in the percentage of random mandatory drug test samples testing positive for drugs, from 24.4 per cent. in 1996/97 to 20.8 per cent. in 1997/98. This reduction is a welcome indication of the Prison Service's success in reducing the level of drug misuse in prisons.

Secondary information