HC Deb 27 June 1979 vol 969 cc437-8
Mr. Merlyn Rees

(by private notice) asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the discovery of incendiary devices in Wakefield prison.

The Secretary of State for the Home Department (Mr. William Whitelaw)

During the morning of 26 June a small fire broke out in an education block of Wakefield prison. The block was not in use at the time. The fire was put out by prison staff before the arrival of the fire brigade. Damage, which was minimal, was caused to one classroom. The fire appeared to have been caused by an incendiary device, and a full search of the prison was carried out, resulting in the discovery of two unignited incendiary devices in two of the workshops. The police are investigating. At no time was the security of the prison or the safety of the staff, prisoners or people in the vicinity of the prison at risk.

Mr. Rees

Does the right hon. Gentleman agree that report in the press last evening, to the effect that incendiary bombs were found in all parts of the prison, was a serious mis-statement? I am glad to be reassured. It is a dangerous matter, but it is not nearly as bad as seems to have been reported in the first instance.

May we be assured that a full search has been carried out not only in Wakefield prison but in other prisons? For example, at Wakefield there are many IRA prisoners and well over half are lifers. May we be assured that there is not something going on in other prsions? Such an assurance would relieve the anxieties of those who live near prisons and demonstrate to the IRA that if it has anything in mind the authorities are ready.

Mr. Whitelaw

I am grateful to the right hon. Gentleman for raising the issue, as it has enabled me, I hope, to put into perspective what actually happened. Bearing in mind the sensitive nature of many of those in Wakefield prison, it is obviously important to be able to reassure the House and those concerned that the incident was as small as it was. I shall take on board the right hon. Gentleman's comments about other prisons and will ensure that they are considered.

Sir Derek Walker-Smith

I appreciate that my right hon. Friend has no responsibility for the press or the contents thereof, but will he say how it came about that such exaggerated and inaccurate reports were published in the press?

Mr. Whitelaw

I shall consider what my right hon. and learned Friend has said. When investigations are taking place inside prison it is difficult for information to be given accurately before the investigations are completed.

Mr. Thomas Cox

Will the right hon. Gentleman assure the House that the Prison Officers Association, both locally and nationally, will be consulted and kept fully informed of any action that he may take?

Mr. Whitelaw

Yes, naturally.

Mr. Farr

Will my right hon. Friend assure the House that the disquiet among many officers in the Prison Officers Association relating, for example, to taxation and undecided matters relating to uniform and cleaning allowances, was in no way connected with the Wakefield incident?

Mr. Whitelaw

To the best of my knowledge the factors were not connected in any way.

Mr. Joseph Dean

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the tremendous pressures that the prison officer staff are operating under in various prisons, including Armley prison, in my constituency? Will he indicate what measures the Government will take to alleviate the difficulties'? Is he aware that there are other prisons that could soon become flash points?

Mr. Whitelaw

The hon. Gentleman will know that the May committee of inquiry into prisons, which was set up by my predecessor—an extremely valuable move—will report in the autumn, when the House and the country will be aware of the grave problems facing our prisons.