§ Mr. Stephen Rossasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action is to be taken following a further attempt to take a prison officer hostage at Parkhurst on 20th July 1974; and if he will make a statement about the whole incident.
§ Mr. Roy JenkinsSoon after midday a prisoner took an officer hostage and demanded that he be taken to Dublin. During the afternoon he was overpowered and the officer released unhurt, and I should like to pay tribute to the skill, courage and fortitude of those involved in securing so satisfactory an outcome. The police are now considering whether592W criminal proceedings should be instituted against the prisoner. I am considering what lessons are to be learnt from this incident and another one of a rather different character at Wakefield Prison on 22nd July.