§ Mr. Ashbyasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the implementation of the recommendations of the Hennessy report.
§ Mr. HurdSince my predecessor reported to the House last July on the progress made in implementing the Hennessy recommendations a further 20 recommendations have been implemented.
These include the strengthening of the security of the communications room in each H block, the relocation of a number of alarm buttons, the revision of the prison segment system whereby the prison can in an emergency be quickly and efficiently divided into smaller more easily manageable units, the reorganisation of the prison security department, and the strengthening of the management structure both of the prison and of the headquarters department.
Following consultation with representatives of the legal profession and others I have decided not to introduce closed visits for professional visitors. I am confident that improved procedures for searching prisoners and their visitors make the implementation of this particular recommendation unnecessary.
Sixty-four of the 73 recommendations have thus been dealt with. Of the remainder a number include major construction or installation work which will inevitably take some time to complete. I believe that the security of Her Majesty's prison, Maze, has been substantially improved. Work to complete the implementation of the outstanding recommendations will continue.