HC Deb 29 October 1970 vol 805 c389
3. Mr. Judd

asked the Minister of State for Defence whether he will make a statement on the techniques now used in Royal Navy detention quarters to deal with unco-operative prisoners.

The Under-Secretary of State for Defence (Mr. Peter Kirk)

Prisoners who refuse to comply with the routine of the establishment are liable to be given periods of between three and 14 days close confinement. They are given every opportunity to retract, when the punishment is then immediately rescinded.

Mr. Judd

While thanking the hon. Gentleman for his reply, may I ask whether he does not agree that, in view of the public concern which exists about this establishment, ranging from the predicament of boy entrants working their tickets for exit from the Navy to the use of drugs to cope with unco-operative prisoners, and taking into account the significant changes in the administration of the centre, it would be helpful if he would take an early opportunity to make a full statement about the real purpose of the centre and the way in which it is administered?

Mr. Kirk

I have visited the centre recently, as has the hon. Gentleman, and he knows of the particular problem and that it must not be made more comfortable than some of the smaller ships at sea. I have in mind one or two changes which I should like to see implemented there. But on the question of drugs, for example, it is very rare that we use drugs on unco-operative prisoners. It has happened on only three occasions in the last four-and-a-half years, to restrain violent prisoners.