were subjected to a drugs search.

"They feel that there are matters that need to be dealt with, and that an inquiry will allow that process to take place,'' the Hon. Sir John Swan said yesterday.

"We thought it was only right and proper, with the type of representation that we received, and with the issues they feel aggrieved by, that the way to deal with it is to have an inquiry.'' The Ministry of Health and Social Services had come up with terms of reference for the inquiry, which was to be set up next week, he said.

Prison Officers Association chairman Mr. Russell Richardson, who led 120 members and staff on a February 11 march on Parliament to present Sir John with a petition, said he was pleased with the news he received yesterday.

"We felt it was a Constitutional matter of rights,'' Mr. Richardson said.

"Our Constitutional rights were breached.'' At Ferry Reach Prison Farm on February 4, Police officers with sniffer dogs lined up about ten Prison Officers and checked them for drugs. None were found.