TORY MP Nigel Evans has called for the use of random drug testing and sniffer dogs in all prisons.

His appeal came as the government announced a new strategy to tackle narcotics problems in Britain's jails.

Ribble Valley MP Mr Evans said action was needed to tackle the booming drugs industry in Britain's jails. He said: "Prisoners find it as easy to get drugs in prison as they do out of prison."

In the House of Commons, he told Home Secretary Jack Straw's deputy George Howarth: "Will you consider the increased use of sniffer dogs in all our prisons, more random testing of more prisoners, including at weekends, and the use of sniffer dogs whenever visitors come to prisons?

"A great quantity of drugs is getting into our prisons via visitors. If there is any suspicion, visitors should be searched."

Mr Howarth promised he would consider those requests and said the Government was determined to reduce demand for drugs in prisons, and reduce the supply into them.

Mr Howarth MP said: "Too many drugs are getting into prisons and, through such a new strategy under new focus, we hope to start tackling the problem which we acknowledge is extremely serious."

He dismissed claims by Labour MP Paul Flynn that there was evidence of people becoming heroin addicts in prison and allegations from Tory MP Alan Clark that prison officers encouraged drug misuse to avoid riots.

He also pledged urgent action to build on the 60 drug treatment projects already in operation in Britain's prisons.

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