HC Deb 02 March 1998 vol 307 c700
13. Mr. Timms

When he last carried out a review of the mandatory spot tests for drugs in prisons. [30351]

Mr. George Howarth

Mandatory drug testing is being reviewed within the broader assessment of the Prison Service drug strategy that I have commissioned. All relevant issues are being explored.

Mr. Timms

My hon. Friend will be aware that some prisoners and former prisoners have alleged that the current mandatory drug testing regime provides an incentive for prisoners using cannabis to switch to heroin, to reduce the chance of being caught. Is that allegation being considered in the current review? Should we not as quickly as possible give prisoners access to voluntary testing and other help, including follow-up help outside prison once their sentences are completed, so that those who want to break free from drug misuse can do so?

Mr. Howarth

My hon. Friend will be pleased to know that the statistics suggesting that there could be a perverse incentive in the mandatory drug testing regime to move from cannabis to heroin are under examination. Sixty-three establishments are involved in various kinds of drug treatment and it is proposed that about £7.3 million be spent on the problem next year.

Mr. Green

Does the Minister acknowledge that there is a terrible air of complacency about his reply on this important subject? Will he at the very least assure the House that, when the inevitable review that he has set up finally reports, some action will emerge from it on the smuggling of drugs into prison, because we all know that that is how they get there? Without action on that front, any words from the Government will simply seem hypocritical.

Mr. Howarth

The mandatory drug testing system was introduced by the previous Government; there are difficulties with it, but we welcome it. When the review is completed, we will consider what is the most appropriate action. Let me make it absolutely clear, in case the hon. Gentleman needs any reassurance, that we do not think it acceptable that drugs are smuggled into prisons and taken by prisoners, so we will do what is necessary to stop it. In the meantime, we must have a clear picture of what exactly is going on, so that we can consider how to deal with it.