HC Deb 07 March 1973 vol 852 cc156-8W
Mr. Farr

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if any prisoners at Gartree Prison in Leicestershire are on a bread and water diet.

Mr. Carlisle

No.

Mr. Farr

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are the reasons which cause an inmate of Gartree Prison, Leicestershire, to be transferred to "B" Wing.

Mr. Carlisle

To remove him from association with other prisoners under the provisions of Prison Rule 43 or to serve punishment.

Mr. Farr

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if, in National Tree Planting Year, he will take steps to provide for an augmented treescaping scheme at Gartree Prison, Leicestershire.

Mr. Carlisle

More trees will be planted if additional land can be secured for this purpose.

Mr. Farr

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he can now say, in the light of the regional director's report into the events at Gartree Prison, Leicestershire, on 26th and 27th November 1972, if an escape warning siren will be provided at the prison.

Mr. Carlisle

This suggestion is being considered in the context of the regional director's report which covers a wide range of matters in the field of security and control that have implications for other dispersal prisons. My noble Friend the Minister of State hopes to be in a position shortly to let the hon. Member know what decision has been reached.

Mr. Farr

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has revised his estimate given on 15th December 1972 that the cost of restoring the damage at Gartree Prison, Leicestershire, after the events of 26th November 1972 would be about £14,000; and if so, what his new estimate is.

Mr. Carlisle

The cost will be reexamined when the work has been completed but it is not expected that there will be any significant increase.

Mr. Fan

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he intends to publish the report of the regional director into the events at Gartree Prison, Leicestershire, on 26th and 27th November 1972.

Mr. Carlisle

As my right lion. Friend explained in his reply to my hon. Friend's Question on 21st December, the regional director's report contains detailed information about security arrangements and procedures at Gartree Prison and it would not be in the public interest to publish it. —[Vol. 848, c.425–7.]

Mr. Fan

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if the estimate he has given of the cost of restoring the damage at Gartree Prison, Leicestershire, after the events of 26th-27th November 1972 includes all labour costs involved;

(2) if his calculation of the cost of restoring the damage at Gartree Prison after the events of 26th-27th November includes the cost of replacement of articles from Home Office and prison stores.

Mr. Carlisle

The estimate relates to the likely additional expenditure from public funds. It does not accordingly include the contribution of prison service staff. The figure for furniture and equipment allows for the write-off value of the articles which have had to be replaced.

Mr. Farr

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many television cameras were damaged or destroyed during the events at Gartree Prison, Leicestershire, on 26th-27th November; and what will be the cost of their repair and replacement.

Mr. Carlisle

One camera was damaged. The cost of replacement and repair to the closed circuit television equipment generally is approximately £700.