§ Mr. Whiteheadasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he is satisfied that full access for relatives, legal advisers, and external medical staff is being currently maintained at Rampton special hospital and will continue to be so during the present dispute.
§ Mr. Patrick JenkinLegal advisers and outside doctors requesting access to particular patients are not being in any way impeded by the current industrial action by staff at Rampton. I greatly regret, however, that this action is at present preventing visiting by relatives. Discussions between local management and the branch officials of the Prison Officers Association are continuing and, as I indicated in reply to the hon. Member for Bassetlaw (Mr. Ashton) on 3 April—[Vol. 2, c.158]—I hope that normal working at the hospital will be resumed as soon as possible.