HC Deb 10 June 1981 vol 6 cc136-7W
Mr. Arthur Lewis

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether convicted prisoners in England and Wales who attempt to commit suicide by self-starvation are treated in the same manner as prisoners in Northern Ireland.

Mr. Mayhew

The policy on prisoners who refuse food or liquid is the same throughout the United Kingdom.

Mr. R. N. Johnston (Member's Correspondence)

Mr. Arthur Lewis

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has received the communication dated 19 May 1981 from Mr. R. N. Johnston of Forest Gate sent to him by the hon. Member for Newham, North-West; if he will call for a report from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis on (a) the questions asked by Mr. Johnson, (b) the replies of the police, (c) the number of police man-hours and costs of the raid and (d) the reasons for the police decision to take no action; and if he will publish the Commissioner's report in the Official Report.

Mr. Mayhew

I understand from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis that officers of the Metropolitan Police entered and searched the premises at the address referred to in the correspondence, in accordance with a warrant issued under section 3 of the Obscene Publications Act 1959, and that articles were seized. This and the related actions of the police are matters within the responsibility of the Commissioner.