§ 17. Mr. Norman Lamontasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what changes he plans to make in the financial assistance available to relatives to visit prisoners.
§ Mr. CarlisleThe arrangements for providing financial assistance to relatives for visits to prisoners are under review, but I cannot yet say what the outcome of this may be.
§ Mr. LamontIs it not illogical that the financial assistance given to poor relatives visiting prisoners is not available when a prisoner is being held on remand, which can be for long periods? Will the Home Secretary look into the fact that many prisons do not seem to take this problem seriously and that people who go to a prison to visit a relative often find that he has been moved? Is it not time to make an improvement in the existing arrangements?
§ Mr. CarlisleIt is right that it does not apply to those on remand; nor is it available to prisoners serving a sentence or three months or less. It is one of the matters being reviewed. On the second matter, if my hon. Friend will let me have details of individual cases I shall certainly look into them.