§ Mr. Bernie GrantTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will place in the Library his previous and present guidelines for the use of gags in deportation cases(a) on board aircraft and (b) on the mainland of the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Charles WardleThere are no such guidelines, but the recent joint Home Office/police review of removal procedures concluded that the use of mouth restraints—which had been suspended in August 1993—should not be resumed. My right hon. and learned Friend indicated in reply to a question from my hon. and learned Friend the Member for Burton (Sir I. Lawrence) on 12 January at columns212–13 that he accepted that conclusion. A copy of the report of the joint review has already been placed in the Library of the House.