Written question asked by Simon Hughes (Liberal Democrat) on Tuesday, 6 June 2000, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Friday, 9 June 2000. It was answered by Charles Clarke (Labour) on Friday, 9 June 2000 on behalf of the Home Office.

Home Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will make a statement on the Government's policy in relation to arrest referral schemes and how arrest schemes are to operate in relation to powers to test for drugs at the time of charging of suspects.

Answer: Mr. Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the Government's policy in relation to arrest referral schemes and how arrest schemes are to operate in relation to powers to test for drugs at the time of charging of suspects. [125324] Mr. Charles Clarke: We anticipate that the testing of arrestees charged with the relevant offences will help to identify those who would benefit from participation in arrest referral schemes which are now being developed with a view to providing coverage of all custody suites by April 2002. The drug testing proposals are to be piloted over two years from spring 2001. This will include an assessment of how drug testing can be used to maximise the effectiveness of arrest referral schemes.

Secondary information