§ Mr. Kilroy-Silkasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why prisoners in D wing at Wormwood Scrubs are physically searched during cell searches; how often these take place; and if the same procedure is adopted (a) at other wings and (b) in other prisons.
§ Mr. BrittanInstructions to the prison service envisage that all convicted adult prisoners in closed prisons should be searched during fortnightly cell searches. The purpose is to prevent the possession of prohibited articles. These instructions are complied with at Wormwood Scrubs as at other prisons to which they apply, in so far as staff resources permit.
§ Mr. Kilroy-Silkasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to receive the report on the events leading up to the incident at Wormwood Scrubs prison on 31 August 1979; and if he has yet decided whether it will be published.
§ Mr. BrittanOn the timing of the report I have nothing to add to the reply 563W I gave to a question by the hon. Member on 10 December.—[Vol. 975, c. 420.] My right hon. Friend will decide whether to publish the report when he has received and considered it.