§ Mr. Tom Coxasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the type of bedding supplied in prisons in England and Wales; and if it is fire resistant.
§ Mr. MellorBedding supplied in Prison Department establishments includes cotton sheets, polyurethane mattresses and pillows, and either woollen or cotton blankets and rugs. All sheets are flame retardant. New style mattresses recently introduced into closed cellular accommodation are flame retardant; the old style mattresses (which are being replaced by the new mattresses during this year) are not themselves flame retardant but have a flame retardant cover. The pillows, woollen blankets and rugs are not flame retardant, but work is in hand to develop and introduce flame retardant versions.