§ Mr. William Rossasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether his Department gives any financial support to the provision of prison chaplains in Northern Ireland.
§ Mr. ScottUnder paragraph 9 of the Prison Act (Northern Ireland) 1953 the Secretary of State has appointed a number of prison chaplains who receive payment for hours spent on these duties and for travelling expenses to Northern Ireland's penal establishments including the young offenders centre.
The same Act allows for a minister of any denomination to visit prisoners of his denomination in a prison to which no minister of that denomination has been appointed. Ministers are paid for such visits.