HC Deb 29 January 1953 vol 510 cc140-1W
70. Mr. Erroll

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why political propaganda is received in Wakefield Gaol stamped with the Crown and described as supplied for the public service.

Sir D. Maxwell Fyfe

A prisoner may have in his cell at any one time not more than two periodicals sent in by relatives or friends or obtained at his own expense. There is no ban on political periodicals as such, but prisoners may not receive unsolicited political propaganda. It has been the practice at Wakefield Prison for prisoners' periodicals to be stamped, before being given to the prisoner, with the official stamp which bears the Crown and the words "supplied for the Public Service," to indicate that they had been seen by the prison authorities. The use of this stamp is clearly inappropriate in these circumstances and instructions will be given that it shall not be put on periodicals unless and until they are retained for the prison library.

71. Mr. Erroll

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what types of newspaper and periodical are approved as suitable to be received by inmates of Her Majesty's gaols.

Sir D. Maxwell Fyfe

The newspapers provided for common use by prisoners in association are those in common demand. The types of periodical that prisoners are allowed to receive for personal use are such as may serve to keep them in touch with current events or with their particular hobbies or interests.