§ 9. Mr. Gwilym Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Wales if he is satisfied with the arrangements for the treatment of prisoners in Whitchurch hospital, Cardiff.
§ Mr. Mark RobinsonI am not aware of any reason to be dissatisfied with the medical and nursing treatment of patients at Whitchurch hospital, including prisoners. Security aspects of the treatment of prisoners are the ministerial responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary.
§ Mr. JonesAs my hon. Friend knows, I am particularly concerned about the case of Hywel Rowlands, who was sentenced 14 months ago for killing his daughter and who, more recently, is alleged to have made threatening telephone calls to his wife from the hospital. Does my hon. Friend agree that it is not good enough for the Home Office merely to tell me that when Rowlands leaves the 12 hospital during the day he is expected to say what time he will return? Will my hon. Friend, with the Home Office, increase the efforts to find a more appropriate place for Rowlands as quickly as possible?
§ Mr. RobinsonI can assure my hon. Friend that my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary agrees that Rowlands should be transferred. That will be effected as soon as possible.