§ 18. Mr. John Pageasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department in what circumstances prisoners being conveyed 232W to court are handcuffed to the officers accompanying them.
§ Mr. JohnHandcuffs are used only on male prisoners. Category A prisoners—i.e., those whose escape would be highly dangerous to the public or the police or to the security of the State—are always handcuffed to an officer. In the case of other male prisoners the Governor will decide whether handcuffs are necessary.
§ 31. Mr. Michael Marshallasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is satisfied with the transfer arrangements of prisoners or suspects between prisons or police stations and other prisons or courts.
§ 33. Mr. Dykesasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what modifications he proposes to make to the system of transferring prisoners by private taxis and hire cars.
§ Mr. Merlyn ReesI will consider whether any change is required in existing practice as soon as I receive the report of the Chief Inspector of the Prison Service into the escape of William Thomas Hughes.
§ 42. Mr. Nicholas Wintertonasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are the rules, concerning the categories of prisoners who may be transported from prison to court by hired motor vehicles rather than in prison vans.
§ Mr. Merlyn ReesPrisoners in security category A and those in other categories considered by governors to be unsuitable for transfer by other means, because of the prisoner's past record, the nature of the crime or the conditions of the journey, are transferred by secure vehicles in cooperation with local police forces. The remainder may be carried in hired motor vehicles.