§ 2.52 p.m.
§ Lord Campbell of AllowayMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question standing in my name on the Order Paper.
§ The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government how chaplains who have visiting access to the young detained in HM prisons are appointed, and where the responsibility for such appointments lies.
§ The Minister of State, Home Office (Lord Elton)My Lords, full-time chaplains are recruited by the Civil Service Commission and appointed to particular establishments by the Prison Department on the advice of the Chaplain General or the principal Roman Catholic chaplain. Part-time chaplains and other visiting ministers of religion are appointed by the Prison Department, on the recommendation of the bishop or outside religions body concerned.
§ Lord Campbell of AllowayMy Lords, I thank my noble friend the Minister for that reply. May I ask what steps, if any, are taken to avoid the appointment to such posts of active male homosexuals, and, in particular, whether current procedure is apt to prevent access to the young detained in our prisons?
§ Lord EltonMy Lords, the interviewing procedures before appointment are very careful. I have inquired and can find no record of any instances of homosexual practice or behaviour by chaplains within the past 25 years.
§ Baroness GaitskellMy Lords, may I ask the noble Lord the Minister whether he does not think that the Question by the noble Lord, Lord Campbell, is a very important and deep one which should be looked at really very well and should be taken into account?
§ Lord EltonMy Lords, it has been looked at well and it is taken into account.
§ Lord AveburyMy Lords, can the noble Lord say what progress has been made in the consideration of recognising Rastafarianism as a religion and appointing chaplains to administer to the needs of Rastafarians in the prison system?
§ Lord EltonMy Lords, I hesitate only to see whether I can find any way of bringing that question within the 1093 rules of order of this House. I can find no connection between the noble Lord's supplementary and the Question on the Order Paper.
§ The Lord Bishop of DerbyMy Lords, would the Minister be willing to pass on the assurance that from independent episcopal experience the appointment of prison chaplains, certainly from the Church of England point of view, is carried out with very great thoroughness and very great judgment after a good deal of inquiry from people who know the particular candidates concerned? Would he be willing to mention the fact, if it gives some assurance, that every prison chaplain has also to be licensed by the bishop of the diocese, who is in duty bound to make careful inquiries before he gives the licence?
§ Lord EltonMy Lords, I am happy to acknowledge the considerable value, both of the work of the Church authorities in finding and screening appointees and also of the work of the chaplains themselves in the Prison Service, which is of enormous value.
§ Lord AveburyMy Lords, will the noble Lord agree that if Rastafarianism is recognised as a religion then the appointment of chaplains ministering to the needs of Rastafarians in prison arises from the Question, and that therefore he ought to answer my supplementary?
§ Lord EltonMy Lords, Rastafarianism is not recognised as a religion within the Prison Service, and therefore the question does not arise at present—to which I should add that prison chaplains nonetheless have the care and welfare of all inmates of the prisons within their care and attend to Rastafarians as well as to others.