§ Mr. Robert Kilroy-Silkasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why he has departed from normal precedent and practice in the public service in not suspending the 13 prison officers charged with criminal offences.
§ Mr. Merlyn ReesI assume that my hon. Friend is referring to the prosecutions of an assistant governor and 12 prison officers who were serving at Hull prison at the time of the riot. I decided that these officers should not be suspended from duty while proceedings were pending against them but should be put on work involving no contact with inmates. This decision, which was taken in the light of the long lapse of time since the riot, will not be regarded as a precedent.