HC Deb 14 July 1986 vol 101 cc337-8W
Ms. Harman

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if there will be an inquest into the death of the infant born to Lynne Marsland, a prisoner at Her Majesty's prison, Holloway, on 29 June.

Mr. Mellor

I understand that an inquest will be held on 15 October.

Ms. Harman

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when Lynne Marsland, a prisoner at Her Majesty's prison, Holloway, first said she experienced labour pains before giving birth to a daughter on 29 June.

Mr. Mellor

Ms. Marsland first said that labour had begun during the evening of Saturday 28 June. Medical reports indicate that the contractions she then experienced subsided and that labour began in the afternoon of Sunday 29 June.

Ms. Harman

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when Lynne Marsland, a prisoner at Her Majesty's prison, Holloway, was first put in a single room for close observation on 29 June; and what was the reason she was moved to this room.

Mr. Mellor

Ms. Marland was placed in a single room in Holloway's mother and baby unit at 3.10 am on Sunday 29 June to facilitate closer observation. This accords with standard procedures under which a pregnant inmate is moved to a single room if she appears to be experiencing pain or discomfort in the abdomen during the night.