HC Deb 20 May 1974 vol 874 c31W
Mr. Kilroy-Silk

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will now take steps to ensure the immediate end of the bread and water diet in prisons in view of the fact that he announced its abolition on 11th June 1973 and that, according to his reply to the hon. Member for Ormskirk on 8th May, such a diet was made on 278 occasions between 1st July 1973 and 31st March 1974.

Dr. Summerskill

The power to award restricted diet is abolished by the Prison (Amendment) Rules 1974 which were laid before Parliament on 25th April and will come into operation on 1st June.

Mr. Kilroy-Silk

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners are serving complete segregation under Rule 43 in British prisons; and what is the longest period served by any one prisoner in the last four years.

Dr. Summerskill

In England and Wales on 16th May, 22 prisoners were completely segregated under Rule 43. The information requested in the second part of the Question is, I regret, not available.