HC Deb 20 November 2000 vol 357 cc85-6W
Mr. Cox

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the impact of drug treatment and testing orders on reoffending rates. [137456]

Mr. Boateng

Evaluation of the three pilots found that the number of crimes committed by offenders subject to Drug Treatment and Testing Orders fell from an average of 137 offences in the month before arrest to around 34 per month after only six weeks on the order. These reductions were largely maintained over time. Those who have completed the order were reported to have stopped offending.

Dr. Tonge

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will establish a royal commission on drug misuse; and if he will make a statement. [137461]

Mr. Charles Clarke

The Government have a comprehensive and challenging 10-year National Drug Strategy to tackle all aspects of the drugs problem in this country. The Government have no intention of establishing a Royal Commission, which would serve only to distract from the Strategy.

Mr. Bercow

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the availability of drugs in prisons; and what steps he is taking to reduce that availability. [134821]

Mr. Boateng

There are no direct measures of the availability of drugs in prisons. Random mandatory drug testing figures provide an indirect measure—the latest figures indicate that on average 12.5 per cent. of prisoners test positive for drugs (down from 24.4 per cent. in 1996–1997).

There is a comprehensive series of measures in place to reduce the availability of drugs; including: Closed Circuit Television surveillance of visits areas (118 establishments);

Drug detention dogs (nationally 121 passive and 195 active dogs); visit bans initiative (from 1 April 1999–30 June 2000, 2,991 visitors were banned on suspicion of trafficking and 401 placed on closed visits); low level fixed furniture is now in use in many prison visit areas to inhibit smuggling; and Police and Prison Services have agreed protocols to enhance mutual co-operation and effectiveness.