§ Mr. ButlerTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what were(a) the categories and (b) the numbers of individual doses of drugs administered to inmates at: (i) Her Majesty's prison, Cardiff and (ii) Her Majesty's prison, Swansea in the latest available year.
§ Mr. John PattenThe table provides the information requested in respect of Her Majesty's prison, Cardiff.
Number of doses of medicine administered to inmates (year ended 31 March 1987) Her Majesty's prison Cardiff Medicines available without prescription in the community 73,504 Prescription only medicines (a) Psychotropic drugs (ie antidepressants, sedatives and tranquillisers) 7,031 (b) Hypnotic drugs 1,040 (c) Drugs acting on the central nervous system other than those shown in (a) and (b) 7,031 (d) Other drugs and medicines 58,118 The larger part of the medical services at Her Majesty's prison Swansea is provided by one doctor. It is a long established policy not to publish information about the prescribing practice of individual doctors.
§ Mr. ButlerTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the total cost of drugs administered to prisoners within Her Majesty's penal establishments in the latest available year.
§ Mr. John PattenInformation in the form requested is not available. In the financial year 1986–87 the cost of procuring medicines and other pharmaceutical items (including dressings and small items of medical equipment) for use in prison service establishments in England and Wales was £1.9 million.