HC Deb 20 December 1984 vol 70 c291W
Mr. Terry Davis

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many queries or requests for advice were received by his Department about the administration of the assisted prison visits scheme during September; and from whom.

Mr. Mellor

Two in writing: one from a local DHSS office and the other from a member of the public. No record is kept of telephone inquiries.

Mr. Terry Davis

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the cost of the assisted prison visits scheme during the financial year 1983–84.

Mr. Mellor

Payments to claimants under this scheme are made by the Department of Health and Social Security, which is then reimbursed by the Home Office. The total paid by the Home Office under the scheme in the financial year 1983–84 was £637,793.

Mr. Terry Davis

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the definition of close relative for the assisted prison visits scheme.

Mr. Mellor

There is no statutory definition, but under this scheme the following may be regarded as close relatives of the prisoner to be visited: wife, husband, parents, children, step-parents, step-children, brothers, sisters, step-brothers, step-sisters and a common-law spouse where the couple have been living together as man and wife for a substantial period or where they have a child.