Written question asked by Peter Bottomley (Conservative) on Wednesday, 17 January 2001, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 25 January 2001. It was answered by Lord Boateng (Labour) on Thursday, 25 January 2001 on behalf of the Home Office.

Home Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his Answer of 17th January 2001 at 361 c272W (ref. 145569), if (a) he and (b) his officials have consulted the Crown Prosecution Service about the potential liability of management grade officers to prosecution under section 8 of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.

Answer: Mr. Peter Bottomley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 17 January 2001, Official Report, column 272W, if (a) he and (b) his officials have consulted the Crown Prosecution Service about the potential liability of management grade officers to prosecution under section 8 of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. [146719] Mr. Boateng: Prison Service Staff would be liable to prosecution under section 8 of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 only if they took no action to stop illegal activities involving controlled drugs. I am satisfied that prisons operate effective strategies for preventing, as far as possible, the smuggling and using of drugs. Consultation with the Crown Prosecution Service is therefore unnecessary.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 361 c718W;361 c720W; 146719
Session: 2000-01
Subjects: Crown Prosecution Service Liability Drugs Prosecutions Prisons Misuse Staff Smuggling HM Prison Service Prison governors
Legislation: Misuse of Drugs Act 1971
Contains statistics: Yes
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk