§ Mrs. Shirley Williamsasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has now made investigations into the complaints lodged with the chief constable of Hampshire in November 1982 by Mr. Paul Cleeland, then a prisoner at Her Majesty's prison Parkhurst, that drugs were administered to him without his knowledge or consent.
§ Mr. WhitelawOn 9 November 1982 Mr. Paul Cleeland complained to the governor of Parkhurst prison that attempts were being made to certify him. He implied that drugs were being used to this end. He requested that the police be notified. The following day he specifically asked to see a police officer and later in the month he was seen by a senior officer of the Hampshire constabulary. It is understood that, following a report from that officer, no further action was taken by the police. The deputy chief constable advised Mr. Cleeland that the proper course would be for him to petition the Home Office for an independent medical examination, saying that he would review the police action if such an examination were to confirm Mr. Cleeland's suspicions. Mr. Cleeland has not petitioned on this matter. I am satisfied that there is nothing to support the alegations made by Mr. Cleeland and that, in all the circumstances, no purpose would be served by any further inquiry.