§ 18. Mr. Manuelasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what action he has taken arising from the petition sent to him by Jane Buxton concerning conditions in Gateside Women's Prison, Greenock.
§ Lady TweedsmuirImprovements are continually being made in prisons, and since Miss Buxton was in Gateside Prison two years ago, for example, there have been new styles of dress, and shoes, underwear, stockings, and face cloths have been issued and sprays have been provided in the bathrooms. Miss Buxton's recent paper has been circulated to the visiting committee and is being studied in detail in my department.
§ Mr. ManuelWill the hon. Lady give me a complete assurance that the Secretary of State, to whom I addressed the Question, has paid regard to the allegations contained in the petition sent to him by Jane Buxton concerning hygiene, medical care, lack of changes of clothing, education, lack of exercise and the fact that the exercise yard was very small? Will she give an assurance to the House today that we shall try to attain the highest possible standard for this, the one women's prison in Scotland, and not have complaints emanating from it because of the conditions there?
§ Lady TweedsmuirMiss Buxton was in prison two years ago. I cannot comment on any specific allegations in the document until it has been studied in detail, but I assure the hon. Member that it will be studied in detail—and has been so studied by myself and, I am sure, by my right hon. Friend.
§ Dr. Dickson MabonIn view of the hon. Lady's answer to my hon. Friend, may I ask for an assurance that the Secretary of State will answer a letter which I sent to him dealing seriatim with the points of the memorandum which Miss Buxton made, in view of the fact that she is obviously a very unusual type of prisoner and has made a constructive effort to try to improve conditions in that prison?
§ Lady TweedsmuirI know that the hon. Member's letter was only acknowledged. The reason that he has not had a full reply is that we are awaiting the visiting committee.