HC Deb 09 March 1999 vol 327 cc106-7W
Mr. Moss

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will list the amount of illegal drugs discovered in Northern Ireland prisons in each of the last three years, broken down by type of drug. [71400]

Mr. Ingram

The amount of illegal drugs discovered in Northern Ireland prisons in each of the last three years is shown in the following table:

1996–97 1997–98 11998–99
Cannabis 314 grammes 1,176 grammes 79 grammes
Ecstasy 6 tablets 121 tablets 29 tablets
LSD 1 square
Amphetamines 2.5 grammes
Anabolic
Steroids 2x10 ml bottles 6x10 ml bottles
Other tablets2 389 981 182
1 Up to 31 December 1998
1 Mostly prescribed drugs found on a non-prescribed basis

Mr. Moss

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what public funds have been spent on mandatory drug tests in Northern Ireland prisons in each of the last three years. [71401]

Mr. Ingram

There is no mandatory drug testing in Northern Ireland prisons. The Northern Ireland Prison Service drugs strategy focuses on four key action areas of control, care, education and information. As part of the strategy, a voluntary testing scheme is currently in operation on a pilot basis in one prison establishment.