§ 7. Mr. Hector Hughesasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will state the procedure and practice relating to the case of a prisoner in one of Her Majesty's prisons who is dissatisfied with a finding of a disciplinary committee and with the report of a visiting committee; and if he will indicate what right and opportunity such a prisoner has by way of appeal or otherwise to an outside tribunal.
§ Mr. R. A. ButlerA prisoner who is dissatisfied with a disciplinary award may petition the Secretary of State, who has power under the Prison Rules to mitigate or remit the award. A visiting committee or board of visitors is itself an outside tribunal independent of the prison administration. No appeal lies from a decision of the committee or the board to any other outside tribunal.
§ Mr. HughesIs the Home Secretary aware that certain prisoners allege that they do not get fair hearings by internal committees, and will he provide a means whereby such prisoners can bring their grievances before external committees, at which they can be represented either by counsel or next friend, so that their cases may be fully and fairly put?
§ Mr. ButlerAs far as I am aware, with the reserve powers of the Secretary of State, the position is satisfactory, but if the hon. and learned Gentleman wishes to put to me any individual points with which he has found dissatisfaction, I shall be glad to look into them.