§ Mr. FearnTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to amend the provisions of the Prisoners Act 1952 relating to the opening and examination of letters to and from prisoners to search for enclosures. [143152]
§ Mr. BoatengPowers to examine prisoners' communications are set out in the Prison Rules 1999 (SI 728 as amended), which are made under section 47 of the Prison Act 1952. The rules were amended on 23 September 2000 (SI 2641) among other things to specify more clearly the grounds on which interception could take place. We have no further plans to amend the Rules in this respect.