To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many drug addicts are participating in the Maudsley heroin prescribing pilot; and what estimate he has made of the cost to the public purse of the pilot per addict per year; (243512)

An evaluation of the effectiveness of these pilots will be conducted in 2009, when they are completed. The Government will use evidence from these pilots to inform further consideration of the role that prescribed injectable opiates (heroin and methadone) has in the wider portfolio of treatment options available for drug misusers.

Information and analysis of costs and the numbers involved in the pilots will be available in 2009, after the pilots have been completed and information such as that requested by the hon. Member will be available then.