HC Deb 03 December 1987 vol 123 c1097
13. Mr. Hoyle

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will hold an inquiry into the management of Risley remand centre in the light of recent deaths at the centre.

Mr. John Patten

No, but as I said in reply to a question from the hon. Member for Caernarfon (Mr. Wigley) on 1 December, Risley is to be inspected next year by Her Majesty's Inspector of Prisons, and we shall be studying his report with particular care. Each such incident is carefully analysed to see whether there are any lessons to be learnt.

Mr. Hoyle

Is the Minister aware that the deaths of Audrey Bergman, James Armstrong and Evan Evans took place in a short period between 25 July and 27 August? Does he know that all of them were depressed and that the two male prisoners had obviously tried earlier to take their lives? Will he ask his colleague the Secretary of State to agree to an early meeting with me and the hon. Member for Caernarfon (Mr. Wigley), who has a constituency interest, so that we may express in more depth the case for a public inquiry? Such a public inquiry would help to relieve the parents'suffering and also help to relieve public disquiet over Risley.

Mr. Patten

The hon. Gentleman may not be aware that my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has written to him in the last day or so offering a meeting between my noble Friend Lord Caithness, who is the Minister with responsibility for prisons, and himself and the hon. Member for Caernarfon.

Mr. Wigley

Is the Minister aware that, a month before his death, Evan Evans had written to Caernarfon saying that he intended to take his own life? Is he further aware that his girl friend had written to prison authorities telling them of the danger of suicide, and that they lost the letter? In the circumstances, surely there should be a public inquiry as a matter of urgency, so that there will be no further incidents of that sort? Will he pass on the message to his right hon. Friend about the meeting with the hon. Member for Warrington, North (Mr. Hoyle) and myself? The matter must be pursued at the highest level.

Mr. Patten

These matters can be looked into when the hon. Gentlemen call on my noble Friend Lord Caithness to discuss the issue. The hon. Gentleman should be aware that guidelines on the prevention of suicide in prisons and remand centres were laid down only in March this year by the prison department.