HC Deb 04 December 1980 vol 995 cc153-4W
Mr. Freeson

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans the prison department has for developing non-violent methods for dealing with concerted acts of indiscipline.

Mr. Brittan

Every effort is made to avoid unnecessary confrontation or resort to physical force. Governors already have instructions that passive acts of concerted indiscipline by prisoners which do not threaten the security, control or functioning of establishments should whenever possible be resolved by peaceful means.

Mr. Freeson

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department on how many occasions minimum use of force tactical intervention squads have been used since 10 March 1980; at which prisons; and in what circumstances.

Mr. Brittan

No MUFTI team of prison officers has been deployed since a team was in readiness at Hull prison when a prisoner barricaded himself in his cell between 10 and 12 March At Nottingham prison on 6 November protective equipment was issued to 10 of 16 officers before they brought under control a violent demonstration by 11 prisoners who had erected a barricade in a television room, but the officers did not form up or act as a MUFTI team.

Mr. Freeson

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has studied the internal report on the incident at Wormwood Scrubs on 31 August 1979; when he expects the police to conclude their investigations; whether he is satisfied that the police have received and are receiving full co-operation from (a) inmates and (b) staff; whether he has taken, or will consider taking, disciplinary action against any officers other than those who are the subject of police investigations; whether he considers the incident to have been a concerted act of indiscipline by prison officers; whether it was consequential upon orders given; and, if so, by whom.

Mr. Brittan

We have studied the report by the regional director of the South-East region of the prison department on the events at Wormwood Scrubs prison on 31 August 1979. It is not possible to say at this stage when police inquiries are likely to be concluded and, in these circumstances, it would be wrong to comment on any aspect of the incident or of the police inquiries into it. Disciplinary action has not been taken against any member of staff; and none is likely to be considered until the police inquiries have been completed.