§ Mr. MaddenTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if Harry Duggan, who is serving a life sentence, was allowed to attend his mother's funeral in the Republic of Ireland; and if he will make a statement. [21516]
§ Miss Widdecombe[holding answer 18 March 1996]: Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the temporary Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.
Letter from A. J. Pearson to Mr. Max Madden, dated 19 March 1996:
The Home Secretary has asked me, in the absence of the Director General from the office, to reply to your recent Question asking if Harry Duggan who is serving a life sentence, was allowed to attend his mother's funeral in the Republic of Ireland.
An application by Mr. Duggan to attend the funeral of his mother in the Republic of Ireland was carefully considered but refused for security and jurisdictional reasons.