§ Mr. Terry Davisasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the answer of the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Official Report, 27 November, column 421, whether any letters from these three prisoners have been delayed by the governor of Winson Green prison or his staff at any time.
§ Mr. MellorThe reading and examination of prisoners' correspondence under the prison rules naturally imposes some delay. If letters are written in a foreign language it may also be necessary to arrange for their translation before prison staff examine them.
§ Mr. Terry Davisasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether all inmates at Winson Green prison have been informed that they can see the dentist who attends twice weekly and can ask for a routine dental examination.
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§ Mr. MellorNo. All inmates are informed at their reception boards that if they have any medical problems they should report sick to their landing officer.
§ Mr. Terry Davisasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department on how many days the governor of Winson Green prison has been absent from the prison during 1984.
§ Mr. MellorMr. Kendrick, the governor of Winson Green prison, Birmingham, has been absent from the prison on 199 days during 1984.
§ Mr. Terry Davisasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners on remand were segregated from other prisoners or put in solitary confinement at Winson Green prison during November; and whether there is any reference to his noble Friend, Lord Elton, in any records concerning their segregation or solitary confinement.
§ Mr. MellorThe information readily available indicates that a total of 13 unsentenced prisoners were segregated at Birmingham prison during the month of November under prison rule 43 for their own protection and a total of 10 unsentenced prisoners were segregated under the same rule in the interests of good order and discipline. My noble Friend will write to the hon. Member with the further information he requested as soon as possible.