HC Deb 06 November 1972 vol 845 c68W
Miss Devlin

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if it is standard practice for official visits by Members of Parliament to prisoners to be strictly supervised, to the extent that assistant governors remain for the duration of the visit within hearing distance, and make written notes of the conversation;

(2) on what grounds his Department considered it necessary to have a recent visit between Eamon Smullen and the Member of Parliament for Mid-Ulster supervised to the extent that detailed written notes were made of the interview by Mr. Hayes, assistant governor of Leicester Prison.

Mr. Carlisle

Rule 33(5) of the Prison Rules applies to visits by Members of Parliament. The extent to which notes may be necessary will vary with the subject matter and length of the discussion.