§ Mr. Stanbrookasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why his Department has refused the request by solicitors acting for Miss Mary Anthoni Ranson, a constituent of the hon. Member for Orpington, for details of the medical treatment given to her while she was in custody at Her Majesty's Prison, Holloway.
§ Dr. SummerskillAfter some correspondence it only recently became clear that the solicitors were contemplating legal action. Whilst it is often the practice to disclose relevant documents in such cases without insisting on a court order, disclosure is not made unless the grounds of the proposed proceedings are indicated first, as they would have to be in an application for an order. The solicitors, at the Department's request, have now disclosed the grounds and their request is, therefore, under active consideration.
579W