§ Mr. Roseasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many prisoners in Long Kesh are currently on hunger strike.
§ Mr. Merlyn ReesThere are at present 20 prisoners who are refusing prison food in Her Majesty's Prison, Maze, but since they have access, without supervision, to weekly food parcels and to prison food it is not possible to say how many of those are on hunger strike. None the less, all are seen daily by the prison medical officer.
§ Mr. Roseasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the condition of prisoners, Martin Meehan, Billings and Thomas Ross; how long they have been on hunger strike; and for what stated reason.
§ Mr. Merlyn ReesBillings states that he has been refusing prison food in Her Majesty's Prison, Maze, since 12th March 1974; Meehan and Ross state that they have been refusing prison food since 16th March 1974. Their stated reason is the refusal to grant parole to another prisoner. These men continue to live in their normal compound accommodation and are seen daily by the prison medical officer.