§ Mr. Kilfedderasked the Secretary of State for Social Services, in view of the high cost of class 3 national insurance contributions and the burden which this places on released prisoners, whether he will ask the National Insurance Advisory Committee to consider what action might be taken to alleviate the position for prisoners who are not able to contribute when in prison and whose pensions will thereby suffer and whose other social security benefits will be adversely affected.
§ Mr. OrmeNo. A concession is already granted to prisoners by virtue of the extended time limit within which they may pay class 3 contributions. Any further concession would be a charge on public funds which could not be justified.
§ Mr. Sproatasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) further to his answer on 21st July 1977 to the hon. Member for Aberdeen, South regarding the fares paid by his Department to the girl friends of men in prison to visit the men, if, under the same criteria, overnight accommodation costs for the girl friend can also be paid;
(2) further to his answer on 21st July 1977 to the hon. Member for Aberdeen, South regarding the fares paid by his Department to girl friends visiting men 283W in prison, if fares, under the same criteria, can also be paid to men friends visiting men in prison, and girl friends visiting girls in prison and also reasonable overnight accommodation costs in both cases.
§ Mr. OrmeAccommodation costs can be met where a visit necessarily involves an overnight stay. If the appropriate conditions are satisfied, help, normally limited to one visit every four weeks, is given regardless of the sex of the prisoner, or visitor.