§ 2.41 p.m.
§ Lord BROCKWAYMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the Northern Ireland Office has concluded its review of punishment in prisons by restricted diet.
§ The MINISTER of STATE, NORTHERN IRELAND OFFICE (Lord Melchett)Yes, my Lords. The use of dietary punishment was ended in September this year. The appropriate amendment to the Prison Rules (Northern Ireland) 1954 will be made at the first opportunity.
§ Lord BROCKWAYMy Lords, is the Minister aware of my appreciation of that reply? Is it not a fact that disciplinary diets were abolished in England and Wales five years ago, and that they have not been used in Scotland for many years? Would my noble friend suggest that Scotland should also delete this power from its regulations?
§ Lord MELCHETTMy Lords, that is another matter. My noble friend has given an accurate description of the position, and, as I have said, we shall take the first opportunity to remove this power from the Northern Ireland legislation. I am afraid that I should need a little notice in order to let my noble friend know exactly when the Scots are planning to follow us.