22. Ms. Richardsonasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether he will take steps to end the practice of stripping women prisoners in Armagh prison for visual examination.
§ Mr. ScottThe present search procedures at Her Majesty's prison, Armagh, which are the same as those used in prisons in Great Britain holding similar categories of prisoners, are required in the interests of security and the safe custody of inmates. The frequency of strip searches has been reduced in recent months, and the situation is kept under review.