Written question asked by Mark Oaten (Liberal Democrat) on Monday, 8 December 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 26 January 2004. It was answered by Paul Goggins (Labour) on Monday, 26 January 2004 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 seasonal variations in the seizure of illegal drugs (a) within prisons and (b) from individuals visiting prisons; what assessment he has made of seasonal variations in the rate of positive mandatory drug tests in prisons.

Answer: Mr. Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what assessment he has made of seasonal variations in the seizure of illegal drugs (a) within prisons and (b) from individuals visiting prisons; [143402] (2) what assessment he has made of seasonal variations in the rate of positive mandatory drug tests in prisons. [144269] Paul Goggins: Available data on seizures of drugs in prisons and on visitors involved in suspicious incidents do not show any seasonal trends. Random mandatory drug test (MDT) rates in prisons fluctuate quite widely on a monthly basis. However, there is some evidence nationally of a pattern of slight increases in drug misuse in the months of July, August and December.

Secondary information