§ Mr. Tilleyasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department which, if any, of the standard minimum rules for the treatment of prisoners Her Majesty's Government do not accept as a matter of policy; and what are the reasons for non-acceptance.
§ Mr. MayhewAs regards England and Wales, we accept the principle of all the standard minimum rules of the council of Europe and of the United Nations. We do not follow the letter of all the recommended procedures. For example, prisoners' complaints to the central administration are not made under confidential cover—rule 36(3) of the European rules—because it would add to the work of dealing with them and the time taken; and although women prisoners are mostly attended and supervised by women officers—rule 53(3) of the UN rules—we do not require this in all circumstances because we do not think it necessary in our system. Practice elsewhere in the United Kingdom is a matter for my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Scotland and for Northern Ireland.
§ Mr. Tilleyasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what information is being compiled on the United Kingdom's compliance with the standard minimum rules for treatment of prisoners for the Council of Europe or the United Nations; when the work will be completed; and whether he will undertake to make it publicly available.
§ Mr. MayhewThis information is compiled in response to periodic requests by the Council of Europe and the United Nations. No such requests are currently outstanding, but when the next returns are made we should be very ready to consider placing copies in the Library of the House.