HC Deb 20 June 1972 vol 839 c87W
Mr. McNamara

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he is satisfied with the liaison between prison welfare officers and the relatives of persons at present on hunger strike in Northern Ireland prisons; and if he will ensure that the officers have sufficient authority to make statements about the prisoners' condition to their relatives without reference to the Ministry of Home Affairs at Stormont Castle.

Mr. David Howell

There have been very few inquiries to prison welfare officers and my right hon. Friend does not know of any difficulties; prison welfare officers were free to give information to relatives about prisoners on hunger strike without reference to the Ministry of Home Affairs.