HC Deb 04 April 1963 vol 675 c610
13. Mr. Grey

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many attempts have been made to commit suicide in Durham prison during the past three years.

Mr. Brooke

Among the 12,000 prisoners who have passed through Durham prison since 1st January, 1960, there have been 32 apparent attempts to commit suicide in the prison, of which two were successful.

Mr. Grey

Will the Home Secretary tell us how these figures compare with those for the rest of the country? Will he say that these incidents will be the subject of the inquiry now taking place, how long it will take before the inquiry has completed its findings, and whether he will publish its report?

Mr. Brooke

I have asked the visiting committee to conduct the inquiry and I do not think that I should now interfere with the way in which it is carrying it out. I hope that it will report as quickly as possible. I can say to the hon. Member that the proportion I mentioned is not excessive, compared with prisons elsewhere.

Mr. Grey

Will the report be published?

Mr. Brooke

I should like to see the report first.