§ Ms Janet AndersonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to make changes to the methods used for the mandatory drug testing of women prisoners. [22663]
604W
§ Miss WiddecombeResponsibility for this matter has been delegated to the temporary Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.
Letter from A. J. Pearson to Ms Janet Anderson, dated 27 March 1996:
The Home Secretary has asked me, in the absence of the Director General from the office, to reply to your recent Question regarding the methods used for the mandatory drug testing of women.The introduction of mandatory drug testing into women's prisons followed a thorough consideration of the issues involved. Mandatory drug testing procedures are subject to constant review and refinement. There are no immediate plans to alter the methods used for the mandatory drug testing of women.