§ Lord Aveburyasked Her Majesty's Government:
What is the statutory authority for the appointment of a "nominating authority" for each of the religions which provide visiting ministers at prisons in England and Wales; by whom the nominating authority is appointed; and what consultations are undertaken when there is a request by any new body to be appointed as a nominating authority.
§ The Minister of State, Home Office (Baroness Blatch)Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.
Letter to Lord Avebury from the Director General of the Prison Service, Mr. Richard Tilt, dated 24 February 1997.
Lady Blatch has asked me to reply to your recent Question concerning nominating authorities of religions providing visiting ministers to prisons in England and Wales.
There is no statutory authority for the appointment of "a nominating authority" for each of the religions which provides visiting ministers at prisons in England and Wales.
The designation of the present "nominating authorities" has been made by the Chaplain General of Her Majesty's Prisons in response to the needs of prisoners, after consultation with a number of advisers in other faith matters, and in fulfilment of his responsibilities to facilitate the practice of other faiths in prison.
Consultations are taking place with the current nominating authorities, and advice is being sought from as wide a field as possible to ensure that any new designations will meet the needs of prisoners throughout England and Wales.