Written question asked by Simon Hughes (Liberal Democrat) on Monday, 22 November 1999, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Friday, 26 November 1999. It was answered by Lord Boateng (Labour) on Friday, 26 November 1999 on behalf of the Home Office.

Home Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he intends introducing mandatory drug testing of staff employed from outside agencies as part of the Prison Service drug strategy; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: Mr. Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he intends introducing mandatory drug testing of staff employed from outside agencies as part of the Prison Service drug strategy; and if he will make a statement. [99799] Mr. Boateng: Contracts with outside agencies include provision for the testing of drug workers for drugs. However, for the time being, testing will apply only to drug workers employed in the high security prisons. There are no plans as yet to extend testing to drug workers across the rest of the prison estate.

Secondary information