§ Ms. Richardsonasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when his Department intends to reply to a letter dated 17 September from the hon. Member for Barking concerning self inflicted injuries suffered by three prisoners; and why, after nearly three months, the hon. Member was informed on 5 December that a reply would take a further few weeks.
§ Mr. MellorThe hon. Member enquired in her letter about three prisoners involved in incidents in Holloway prison. Her letter also covered general questions of staffing and the new powers of remand to hospital under the Mental Health Act. Detailed inquiries were necessary: these had to be pursued against a background of the heavy pressure of work and correspondence which has resulted from the critical interest in Holloway prison this autumn. The recent consideration of the future of Holloway has led to the appointment of a project committee which will advise the Director General.
My noble Friend will reply very shortly and will I then explain developments in greater detail.