§ Lord Aveburyasked Her Majesty's Government:
274WAOn what statutory authority a prisoner is deprived of his common law right to bring a private prosecution.
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (Lord Belstead)Rule 33(2) of the Prison Rules 1964 precludes communication by a prisoner with any outside person without the leave of the Secretary of State. This rule is the basis for the prison standing order under which a prisoner is not permitted facilities to initiate a private criminal prosecution. If a prisoner claims to have evidence of a criminal offence allegedly committed outside prison, he may write to the police about it; where the offence was allegedly committed in prison, it is for the governor to initiate appropriate action.