HC Deb 09 February 1982 vol 17 c302W
Mr. Kilroy-Silk

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why 10 inmates at Feltham borstal with a reading age of less than 10 years were not attending remedial education classes on 13 January.

Mr. Mayhew

The 10 inmates at Feltham borstal with a reading age of less than 10 years who were not attending remedial education classes on 13 January had attended such classes earlier in their training. Their places were required for more recently arrived inmates.

Mr. Kilroy-Silk

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why 10 inmates at Rochester borstal with a reading age of less than 10 years were not attending remedial education classes on 13 January.

Mr. Mayhew

The 10 inmates at Rochester borstal with a reading age of less than 10 years who were not attending remedial education classes on 13 January included four borstal trainees who were participating in the borstal's induction procedures. The remaining six inmates were young prisoners who had chosen not to participate. The education facilities of young prisoners are regulated under the prison rules which provide for voluntary as opposed to compulsory participation.

Mr. Kilroy-Silk

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why 133 inmates at Glen Parva young prisoner centre and remand centre with a reading age of less than 10 years were not attending remedial education classes on 13 January.

Mr. Mayhew

I shall write to the hon. Member as soon as I have obtained the information he requires.

Mr. Kilroy-Silk

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why three inmates at Everthorpe borstal with a reading age of less than 10 years were not attending remedial education classes on 13 January.

Mr. Mayhew

The three inmates at Everthorpe borstal with a reading age of less than 10 years who were not attending remedial education classes on 13 January were taking part in a life and social skills course which, however, included remedial education. They later returned to the normal remedial education classes.

Mr. Kilroy-Silk

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why an inmate at Aylesbury young prisoner centre with a reading age of less then 10 years was not attending remedial education classes on 13 January.

Mr. Mayhew

The education facilities for young prisoners are regulated under the prison rules which provide for voluntary as opposed to compulsory participation in educational activities. The inmate chose not to participate.