§ Mr. Charles R. Morrisasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action he proposes to take as a result of the decision by the Prison Officers' Association to embark on industrial action at Her Majesty's prison Strangeways, Manchester, which will involve the locking out of visitors, delaying the presentation of prisoners at the Manchester magistrates' and Crown courts, and preventing prisoners, many of whom are kept in cells for more than 20 hours a day, from proceeding to work.
§ Mr. WhitelawI have repeatedly made clear to the Prison Officers' Association and in this House that I deplore 699W the effects of the industrial action being taken by members of the Prison Officers' Association in prison establishments, including Her Majesty's prison Strange-ways. I shall continue to take all measures open to me to sustain the operation of the criminal justice system, including the prison system, but responsibility for the effects on inmates must lie with those who are taking the industrial action.