§ Mr. McNamaraasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many prisoners are now on hunger strike in prisons in Northern Ireland; for how long have they been refusing food; and what grounds they have given for taking their action.
§ Mr. David HowellForty-one prisoners are at present on hunger strike in prisons in Northern Ireland. The periods for which they have been refusing food range from two days to 30 days. Two have indicated that their action has been undertaken as a form of complaint about conditions in their prison. The remainder seek what they term political status.
§ Mr. McNamaraasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether he will permit the clergymen of their choice and their family doctor to visit prisoners at present on hunger strike in Long Kesh, Crumlin Road, and Armagh Prison.
§ Mr. David HowellConvicted prisoners are not permitted to receive visits from general practitioners in their capacity as family doctors. My right hon. Friend sees no reason to change this practice in the case of the prisoners on hunger strike, since they are already under close medical supervision.
Clergymen may by arrangement with the appropriate chaplain use the special facilities for visiting members of their congregation who are in prison.
§ Mr. McNamaraasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether he will ensure that in places where prisoners on hunger strike are detained the rooms are adequately heated; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. David HowellMy right hon. Friend has no evidence to suggest that 37W the temperature in the prison where the prisoners on hunger strike are detained is inadequate; but the prisoners concerned are under constant medical observation.
§ Mr. McNamaraasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many and which of the prisoners at present on hunger strike in Northern Ireland refused to recognise the courts' authority, refrained from appealing against their convictions by the courts or at their trial or subsequently claimed to be members of any, and of which, political organisations.
§ Mr. David HowellOf the 37 convicted prisoners currently on hunger strike in prisons in Northern Ireland, 13 refused to plead but three of these subsequently appealed against their conviction. Appeals were also made by three of the 24 prisoners who entered a plea at their trial. Prison records do not show to which political organisations, if any, the prisoners on hunger strike claimed membership at their trial or subsequently.