HC Deb 26 June 1975 vol 894 cc655-6
15. Mr. Watkinson

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he can yet say when he expects to implement the findings of the Gardiner Report.

Mr. Moyle

The Northern Ireland (Emergency Provisions) (Amendment) Bill has been laid before Parliament, received its First Reading on 18th June and is down for Second Reading tomorrow.

Mr. Watkinson

Is my right hon. Friend aware of the recommendations of the Gardiner Report which refer to the prison conditions in Northern Ireland as being of an appalling nature? Have the Government considered any possibility of extending the resettlement of detainees as recommended by that report?

Mr. Moyle

We shall be reporting on this matter tomorrow in the House.

Mr. Beith

In view of the vital necessity to strengthen the position of the RUC, does the Minister recognise the need to move more quickly on the Gardiner Report's recommendation of introducing an independent element into the complaints procedure? Can he avoid the constant waiting for the very slow recommendations of his right hon. Friend the Home Secretary on this matter?

Mr. Moyle

We have decided that we should wait for the recommendations of my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary on this matter.

Mr. Neave

Can the Minister say a little more about the recommendations of the Gardiner Report concerning secure prison accommodation, and in particular paragraph 113, which deals with temporary cellular accommodation, because the report attaches great urgency to that aspect of the problem?

Mr. Moyle

We shall report on that matter in the debate tomorrow.