HC Deb 21 January 1983 vol 35 c237W
Mr. Kilroy-Silk

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is satisfied that conditions for young prisoners at Birmingham prison satisfy rule 3 of the European standard minimum rules for the treatment of prisoners.

Mr. Mayhew

We accept that the conditions in which young offenders have to be held at Birmingham are unsatisfactory, but, since other young prisoner establishments are also full, to remove young prisoners from Birmingham would merely worsen overcrowding elsewhere. The situation will, however, improve as the effects are felt on the prison system of Government plans for building and maintenance of prisons and for the provision of additional staff.