§ Mr. Brothertonasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps he is taking to ensure that prisoners in H block at the Maze prison are not sending illegal communications to the outside world.
§ Mr. AlisonAll reasonable steps are taken to prevent smuggling by prisoners in Northern Ireland. Inmates are searched thoroughly before and after visits, which are supervised by prison staff. Visitors are given a rub-down search before being admitted to the visiting area, and may be searched again on leaving if there are grounds for suspecting that they may be carrying a prohibited item. I am satisfied that the measures taken are adequate having regard to the nature of the threat involved in the smuggling of this type of material.