§ Mr. Dickensasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will issue guidelines to Her Majesty's prison governors and chief constables regarding the promptness and accuracy of information to be given to the 283W public when escapes from custody occur involving prisoners with convictions for offences which may render them a danger to the public.
§ Mr. MellorPrison governors are required to report escapes promptly to the police, and Home Office public relations branch notifies the Press Association. Similar arrangements for reporting to the police apply to failure to return from home leave, but we are reviewing the possible need for further instructions to prison governors. The police have their own arrangements for disseminating information. Appropriate action is a matter for their operational judgment in the light of the circumstances of the particular case. I do not think it would be practicable or appropriate to attempt to lay down guidelines.