asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what supervision over the use of drugs in penal institutions is exercised by the chief medical adviser to the prison department.

The chief medical officer of the Home Office, who is also the chief medical officer of the Department of Health and Social Security, advises my Department when necessary on any medical aspects of its responsibilities including matters relating to prisoners.The management of medical services in prison department establishments is the responsibility of the director of prison medical services. The director and his senior medical colleagues discuss clinical matters, including the use of drugs, with doctors working in establishments, although it would not be appropriate to give instructions to such doctors about how they should exercise clinical judgment.