§ Mr. Cohenasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the reason for the closure of the visitors' centre outside Pentonville prison; and what alternative arrangements are being made to maintain the service provided by the visitors' centre.
§ Mr. Merlyn ReesThe centre had to be closed because, following differences of opinion over the operation of the centre, the Pentonville branch of the Prison Officers Association formally withdrew co-operation with it, and thus made it impossible for it to continue. Alternative accommodation has recently opened on prison premises where visitors may wait from 30 minutes before the start of visits. With the help of the Women's Royal Voluntary Service and the Inner London Probation Service it is hoped to improve these facilities shortly.