§ Mr. Kilroy-Silkasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the number of court actions (a) started in the last year and (b) current against the prison department for the non-payment of dental charges.
§ Mr. MellorSeven sets of proceedings have been issued in 1984 against the Home Office or its officers relating to the non-payment of dental charges. One of these actions was struck out, the rest are being defended. Three additional High Court actions which relate to proceedings commenced in 1983 are also current: one of these is a consolidated action relating to non-payment of dental charges: the other two, one of which is at present dormant, relate to compensation for cancelled dental clinics. All these proceedings have been issued by the same person.