HC Deb 03 May 1983 vol 42 cc16-7W
Mr. Field

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the cost of providing escort duties for prisoners married outside prison for each of the last 10 years.

Mr. Mellor

The information requested is not available.

Mr. Field

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will list the number of marriages involving prisoners which have involved the prisoner leaving the prison for the marriage service for each of the last 10 years;

(2) how many prisoners married while in prison for each of the last 10 years.

Mr. Mellor

Under the present law marriages cannot be solemnised within a prison department establishment and any prisoner who is allowed to marry has to leave the establishment for the ceremony. The number of such ceremonies is not recorded centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Mr. Field

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list for each of the last 10 years the number of prisoners who escaped while on their way to be married.

Mr. Mellor

Information for the period prior to 1976 could be provided only at disproportionate cost. Since 1976 one prisoner who was permitted to leave prison under escort to get married has escaped. This escape took place in 1981.

Mr. Field

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list those bodies and organisations which were consulted on the question of removing a prisoner's right to be married outside prison before the Government introduced their Marriage Bill; and if he will place in the Library copies of all the correspondence.

Mr. Mellor

The relevant provisions in the Marriage Bill will enable marriages to be solemnised in prison department establishments and will not remove any rights. The circumstances in which prisoners are at present allowed to marry have to be limited because of the difficulties which can be created by a ceremony outside the establishment and these provisions will enable us to reduce the delays and restrictions. A prisoner who wishes an outside wedding ceremony will, however, generally be allowed one if he is suitable for temporary unescorted absence or if an escort can be provided without seriously affecting the regime for others in the establishment and the security risk is not unacceptable.