§ Lord Aveburyasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether, in view of the withdrawal of ferry services between Belfast and Liverpool, the Department of Social Services in Northern Ireland will make payments to permit relatives travelling from Northern Ireland to visit prisoners serving sentences of imprisonment in Great Britain to travel by air; how many such visits would be allowed per year, and what is the estimated total cost in fares.
659WA
The Minister of State, Northern Ireland Office (The Earl of Gowrie)I recognise that the withdrawal of this service will inconvenience prisoners' relatives travelling to and from England, as it will many other travellers. However, I am satisfied that no change need be made in the existing assisted visits scheme.
The Larne/Stranraer sea link and associated rail and coach services remain available. Moreover, it is already the practice to pay for travel by air if the cost of surface travel plus overnight accommodation exceeds the air fare or where, exceptionally, travel by air to save time is essential.
During the period 1st June to 31st October 1981, financial assistance totalling about £600 was granted in respect of visits by persons in Northern Ireland to close relatives in prison in Great Britain.