HC Deb 28 April 1975 vol 891 cc45-7W
Mr. Kilroy-Silk

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether it is his policy to amend the Prison Rules to bring them into line with Article 8(1) and Article 6(1) of the European Convention of Human Rights and so (a) enable prisoners the freedom to write as many letters as they wish to anyone and (b) allow prisoners the same rights as other citizens to bring legal actions against anyone without the necessity of obtaining prior consent; and, if so, when he expects to do so.

Dr. Summerskill

I would refer my hon. Friend to the replies given to Questions by my hon. Friend the Member for Blyth (Mr. Ryman) on 3rd March—[Vol. 887, c.322.]—and my hon. Friends five months, (f) five-six months and (g) over six months, respectively;

(3) how many of the 408 juveniles in 1973 first received as convicted unsentenced and subsequently given a non-custodial sentence were in custody (a) up to one month, (b) one-two months, (c) two-three months, (d) three-four months, (e) four-five months, (f) five-six months and (g) over six months. respectively.

Dr. Summerskill

The following table indicates the periods between first reception into prison custody and date of sentence for the boys and girls referred to in my hon. Friend's Questions. For some of this time they may have been released on bail. Information is not available about the precise proportion of the remand period spent in custody or on bail.

the Members for Gloucestershire, West (Mr. Watkinson) and Southampton, Test (Mr. Gould) on 6th March.—[Vol. 887, c. 1760–62.]

Mr. Kilroy-Silk

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if, in line with the judgment of the European Court of Human Rights in the Golder case, he will allow Mr. T. P. Milliken, of Her Majesty's Prison, Blundeston, to communicate with those from whom he seeks legal advice.

Dr. Summerskill

Mr. Milliken, who has exhausted his normal rights of appeal, has not so far applied for facilities to consult a solicitor about his conviction and sentence. If he does so, we shall give this sympathetic consideration.