§ 17. Mr. Thomas Coxasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what facilities exist in Her Majesty's Prisons for the care of young children while visits are taking place.
§ Mr. CarlisleThe arrangements vary. At some prisons there are rooms where children can be looked after by staff or voluntary helpers, and more of these are planned.
§ Mr. CoxIs not it a fact that the lack of facilities presents problems to women, especially to those with young children, who often have to make long journeys, some of them more than 100 miles, to visit their men folk in prison? Surely there should be some speeding up by the Department to ensure that such facilities exist in as many prisons as possible.
§ Mr. CarlisleI accept that there are many difficulties for wives with young children visiting people in prison. That is why we are grateful for the help and the facilities provided by the voluntary organisations. Certainly we will do what we can.