HC Deb 23 June 1999 vol 333 cc378-9W
Mr. Cox

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people were(a) arrested and (b) charged for attempting to smuggle drugs into prisons in England and Wales in each of the last three years. [87653]

Mr. George Howarth

The number of visitors arrested for possible drug-related offences is given in the table. Figures for the number subsequently charged are not kept centrally.

Visitors to prison establishments arrested for possible
Year Number
1996 1,317
1997 1,183
1998 1,109
1999 (to May 31)1 366
1 Provisional figure