Written question asked by Paul Stinchcombe (Labour) on Tuesday, 22 June 1999, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 30 June 1999. It was answered by George Howarth (Labour) on Wednesday, 30 June 1999 on behalf of the Home Office.

Home Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what proportion of prison drug tests proved positive in (a) drug-free wings and (b) other wings in the latest period for which figures are available. - Inc figures and ref to fact that figures from voluntary testing units not collated centrally.

Answer: Mr. Stinchcombe: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of prison drug tests proved positive in (a) drug-free wings and (b) other wings in the latest period for which figures are available. [88306] Mr. George Howarth: The proportion of random mandatory drug tests that proved positive for the period 1998-99 was 18.3 per cent. which is 1.7 per cent. less than the target of 20 per cent. set for the year. This can be compared with the previous years' figures of 24.4 per cent. positive in 1996-97 and 20.8 per cent. in 1997-98. Figures for drug testing results from voluntary testing units are not collated centrally.

Secondary information