§ Mr. Litterickasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many inmates of H Block in the Maze prison have been hospitalised during the last 12 months; and what were the ailments for which they were treated in each case.
§ Mr. ConcannonThere are at Maze prison eight cell blocks known as H blocks. At 1 January 1979 they held 1,027 prisoners of whom 353 so-called protesters in three of the blocks were breaking prison rules.
In the 12 months ended 31 December 1978, 232 prisoners from H blocks were admitted to prison hospital of whom 69 were protesters; 88 were admitted to outside hospitals of whom 23 were protesters. 72 prisoners attended outpatient departments of outside hospitals on a total of 105 occassions including 24 protesters on 28 occasions. The same prisoner may have been counted more than once in these figures.
It would not be possible without disproportionate cost to give details of the wide range of ailments and conditions, mostly minor, for which the prisoners concerned were treated. Some were admitted to hospital only for tests or for observation.
578Wthe remaining three may only receive a travelling allowance. In practice, not everyone claims the fees or expenses to which they are entitled. Detailed information about individuals' income and expenses is not readily available and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.