Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Elizabeth Truss and Amanda Solloway

Tuesday 25th April 2017 Commons Chamber

[Amanda Solloway (Derby North) (Con)]

Pictures have recently emerged of people on the streets of Derby city centre that reveal the shocking effect of Black Mamba and the zombie-like state the drug can induce. The police in Derby have been very proactive in taking a stance on this matter, but can the Secretary of State assure me that everything is being done to tackle the availability and use of this type of drug?

[Elizabeth Truss]

I completely agree with my hon. Friend about the effect that such drugs have on people both outside and inside prison. One of our key priorities was to roll out testing, which we did by September, to detect such substances and eliminate their use in prison.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Elizabeth Truss and Amanda Solloway

Tuesday 24th January 2017 Commons Chamber

[Elizabeth Truss]

We are increasing the number of Tornado staff to make sure that we can deal with any incidents that arise across our prison estate, particularly while we are building up the strength of our frontline. Those officers do a fantastic job, and they did a fantastic job in resolving the incident at HMP Birmingham. I can tell the hon. Lady that the investigation into the incident at HMP Birmingham, which is being led by Sarah Payne, will report back in February.

[Amanda Solloway (Derby North) (Con)]

5. What steps the Government are taking to (a) treat drug addiction in prison and (b) provide education and skills training to prisoners formerly addicted to drugs to help them to find work on release.