§ Mr. Kilroy-Silkasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why money sent to prisoners is dealt with under Rule 42(2)c, and not credited to the prisoner.
§ Dr. SummerskillRule 42(2)c is invoked only where the sender of money to a convicted prisoner cannot be identified and the circumstances cast sufficient doubt on the genuineness of the transaction to justify withholding the money from the prisoner.
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§ Mr. Kilroy-Silkasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much money in the last year for which figures are available has been paid into an account to be applied for the benefit of discharged prisoners under Rule 42(2)(c).
§ Dr. Summerskill£484 in the year ended 31st March 1975, which may include some amounts under Rule 42(3)(c) and (4)(c).
§ Mr. Kilroy-Silkasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many adult and juvenile prisoners, respectively, sleep or are confined in cells or rooms in which the Secretary of State has given leave under Rule 23(2) that the number may exceed the maximum laid down by the inspector.
§ Dr. SummerskillNone.
§ Mr. Kilroy-Silkasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will amend Prison Rules 26(2) and (3) in order to eliminate sex discrimination and to ensure that men's hair is not cut without their consent.
§ Dr. SummerskillThis is not a matter which we have under consideration at the moment.
§ Mr. Kilroy-Silkasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department on how many occasions, in the last year for which figures are available, he has required a charge under Prison Rule 51(5) to be referred to him; on how many of those occasions he found the charge proved; and what punishment he determined.
§ Dr. SummerskillOnce, in 1974. The officer in the Home Office who inquired into the charge found the offence proved and awarded 28 days' forfeiture of remission.
§ Mr. Kilroy-Silkasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will amend the Prison Rules to allow prisoners to have the right to be legally represented when charged under the provisions of Rule 51;
(2) if he considers it appropriate for a prisoner charged under Rule 49 to be represented especially in cases where the governor enforces Rule 50(e) and 50(g).
442W
§ Dr. SummerskillI would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to a similar Question from him yesterday—[Vol. 889, c.417.]
§ Mr. Kilroy-Silkasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why he considers it necessary under Prison Rule 33(3) for every letter or communication to or from a prisoner to be read or examined by the governor or an officer deputed by him.
§ Dr. SummerskillI would refer my hon. Friend to Rule 3 of the Prison (Amendment) Rules 1974. An experimental relaxation of censorship is now in operation in several open establishments.
§ Mr. Kilroy-Silkasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department on how many occasions, in the last year for which figures are available, has he remitted or mitigated a disciplinary award, respectively, under Prison Rule 56.
§ Dr. SummerskillI regret that this information is not readily available.
§ Mr. Kilroy-Silkasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will explain what constitutes "objectionable" and "inordinate length" under Prison Rule 33(3); and if he is satisfied that the governor should so decide.
§ Dr. SummerskillThe words have to be considered in the light of the need to maintain good order and discipline, prevent crime and assist the sound administration of prisons. These are matters of which the governor will have first-hand knowledge.
§ Mr. Kilroy-Silkasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list in the Official Report the abuses of which he has been informed by visiting commitees or boards of visitors under Prison Rule 94(4) for the last year for which figures are available.
§ Dr. SummerskillNo reports under this provision were received in 1974.
§ Mr. Kilroy-Silkasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list in the Official Report the reports that he has received from visitors' committees and boards of visitors under Prison Rule 443W 94(3) in the last year for which figures are available.
§ Dr. SummerskillI would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave to a similar Question from him yesterday.—[Vol. 889, c.418]