HC Deb 12 January 1995 vol 252 cc269-70
7. Mr. John Marshall

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement about the availability of satellite television in prisons.

The Minister of State, Home Office (Mr. Michael Forsyth)

Most prisons have access to satellite television, which is controlled. However, the costs are met by prisoners themselves and not by taxpayers.

Mr. Marshall

First, may I congratulate my right hon. Friend on his appointment to the Privy Council? As most people do not have satellite television in their homes, will my right hon. Friend suggest to the lily-livered liberals within the prison establishment that prisoners should not enjoy in individual cells facilities that they would not enjoy in their homes?

Mr. Forsyth

I am most grateful to my hon. Friend for his comments. In-cell provision of satellite television is limited to two prisons. I am sure that my hon. Friend will support the reforms that are to be introduced to ensure that privileges, of which access to television is one, are earned within the prison system. We hope to be able to announce those reforms shortly.

Mr. Tipping

Has not the availability of personal possessions in Whitemoor and Parkhurst prisons led to the situation where cells cannot be effectively searched? Is it not the Home Secretary's own policies which are causing problems in our prisons?

Mr. Forsyth

As the hon. Gentleman ought to know, the matter of the issue and quantity of possessions in cells was one of the topics that emerged from the Woodcock report. That follows the review of privileges which has been conducted within the Prison Service. I agree that it is important that prisoners' possessions should be limited to ensure that there is effective searching and I look forward to support from Opposition Members in ensuring that that policy is enforced.