HC Deb 02 April 1980 vol 982 c224W
Mr. Arthur Lewis

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why prison medical officers are under the aegis of his Department and bound by the Official Secrets Act rather than under the aegis of the British Medical Authority in a similar way to other doctors.

Mr. Brittan

Anyone with access to official information is subject to the Official Secrets Acts. Prison medical officers are bound by the same ethical standards in relation to their professional duties as other doctors practising in the United Kingdom.

Mr. Arthur Lewis

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how the standards of the prison medical officers are monitored to ensure that they adhere to the codes of practice of a doctor.

Mr. Brittan

I have no reason to believe that prison medical officers depart from the ethical standards of the medical profession in this country or that there are grounds for special monitoring of their adherence to these standards.