HC Deb 14 November 1978 vol 958 c136W
Mrs. Wise

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will issue a direction that drugs are to be administered to prisoners only for medical reasons, and are not to be used as instruments of discipline.

Mr. Merlyn Rees

No such direction is necessary. The prison medical service has always operated on the principle that drugs are prescribed for prisoners only when, in the clinical judgment of prison medical officers or other registered medical practitioners, such treatment is justified for the restoration of health or the relief of symptoms.