§ Lord Aveburyasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will draw the attention of all Boards of Visitors to the remarks of Mr Justice Hodgson in the case of R v Board of Visitors Pentonville Prison and Another, ex parte Rutherford, that "there might be cases where it would be a breach of natural justice and unfair not to allow an inmate brought before a Board of Visitors on report to sit down, or, in a long or difficult case to deny him writing materials. However, it was not part of the High Court's duty to lay down the precise procedures which Boards of Visitors should adopt."
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (Lord Glenarthur)Boards of Visitors have been encouraged to allow all those taking part in adjudications, including the prisoner charged, to sit during the proceedings. The recently issued Manual on the Conduct of Adjudications contains the following advice
unless the size of the room and other physical arrangements preclude this, arrangements should be made for all those taking part in the proceedings to be seated. The prisoner should be allowed facilities to make notes.My right honourable friend the Home Secretary does not intend to issue further guidance to Boards of Visitors on this matter at the moment.