§ Mr. Alex CarlileTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is his policy relating to public access to the documents "Advice to Governors", issued to prison governors. [20617]
§ 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 Brian Landers to Mr. Alex Carlile, 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 about the policy relating to public access to the documents Advice to Governors.
In responding to requests from members of the public for access to such documents the Prison Service follows the Open Government Code of Practice on Access to Government Information. Each request is considered on its merits and there is a presumption in favour of disclosure.