§ Mr. LivingstoneTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will provide details of the number of visits undertaken by hon. Members to high security prisons since 1979 where their research assistants have been refused permission to accompany them.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggResearch assistants are not permitted to accompany hon. Members visiting prisons, of whatever security category, unless the responsible Minister is satisfied that exceptional circumstances apply. Records of such applications are not routinely kept.