§ Miss Maynardasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what are the precise concessions granted to male prisoners in the prisons of Northern Ireland with regard to the wearing of clothing; whether such clothing as is now permitted will be supplied by the relatives of the prisoners from outside the prison, or whether that clothing must be supplied from prison stocks; and when this concession will take place.
§ Mr. Humphrey AtkinsThe Government announced on 23 October that the existing prison uniform for all male sentenced prisoners is to be replaced by civilian-type44W clothing supplied by the prison authorities; this will not affect the arrangement, which has been in operation since 1976, under which all male sentenced prisoners who are conforming with prison rules may wear their own clothing of an approved type during visits, association periods and at week-ends. The new civilian-type dress is expected to be ready early in the new year.