§ Sir John Biggs-Davisonasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement about the distribution of Government publications among inmates of Her Majesty's prisons in England and Wales.
§ Mr. HurdGovernment publications are normally available to prisoners in England and Wales through the library of the prison service establishment concerned. Library services are provided by the local public library authorities concerned: their annual expenditure is reimbursed by the Home Office on an agreed basis. Additionally, prisoners may normally use the special request services of the authorities for literature which is not readily available and, with the permission of the governor, may purchase items through recognised newsagents or publishers, using their earnings or private cash, or receive them from their relatives or friends.