asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the proposed drug testing for police officers in England and Wales could be considered intrusive and a breach of their civil liberties.

My Lords, Her Majesty's Government have no plans to extend the drug testing regime for police officers. The Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) has asked for it to be considered by the Police Advisory Board for England and Wales (PABEW) at its next meeting on 28th October. We welcome the discussion and will be interested to hear the views of police service stakeholders.

My Right Honourable Friend the Home Secretary will wish to look carefully at the proportionality and intrusiveness of any procedures recommended by the Police Advisory Board.

My Lords, I thank the Minister for her reply. How many police officers have been convicted of drug offences in the recent past?

My Lords, we have no figures in relation to this issue. One of the issues is whether there is a business case for such investigation. The noble Viscount will know that police officers in this country provide an invaluable service and at the moment we do not have an indication that random testing is necessary. However, if there is such evidence and we are persuaded that the matter should be looked at, we are more than happy to do so.

My Lords, in the course of the Government's discussions with the Police Superintendents' Association, will they, in addition to considering the drug testing of law enforcers, consider the possibility of the random drug testing of law makers?

My Lords, that has tempted people for a very long time, but, as with police officers, the case has yet to be made.

My Lords, given the likely acquiescence of the police service to the proposal to introduce drug testing because of their loyalty and responsibility, will the Minister tell me whether the Government intend to introduce drug testing for other parts of the public service and the public sector, as is done in the United States of America?

My Lords, at present, we have no intention to extend the drug testing provisions more widely than they are currently drawn. However, it is right to say that we will not dismiss any empirical data which indicate that consideration of a change may be merited.