§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why prison standing orders lay down that letters from prisoners to their Members of Parliament have to be read by the censor; and what assessment he has made of the possible damage to the security and safe imprisonment of the prisoner which otherwise would occur if letters of an uncensored nature were permitted to be sent.
§ Mr. BrittanLetters to Members of Parliament are read to ensure they contain no grievances about treatment or complaints against prison staff which have not been raised or considered through the normal internal procedure for the investigation of complaints. The purpose is not to prevent the prisoner from ventilating his grievance, but to give the prison administration a proper opportunity to provide a remedy.