§ 8. Mr. Clinton Davisasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will undertake to review the prison regulations with particular regard to those affecting persons remanded in custody; and if he will make a statement.
§ The Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department (Mr. Mark Carlisle)Yes, Sir: the Home Office is reviewing the arrangements for persons held on remand.
§ Mr. DavisIs the hon. and learned Gentleman aware that his answer will please many of us, having regard to the obvious demand for an urgent inquiry into very illiberal regulations? The Home Secretary is to be congratulated on the liberal interpretation which he placed on certain regulations about hair cutting for persons remanded in custody in July and August.
§ Mr. CarlisleThe decision to set up an inquiry predated the raising of the question of hair cutting. It was a decision by the Home Office. The hair cutting was in accordance with the rules which then applied and which made no distinction between convicted and unsentenced prisoners.