HC Deb 21 October 1985 vol 84 cc57-8W
Mr. William Ross

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) what sort of work has been done by persons convicted of scheduled offences and serving sentences in the Maze prison, where the prisoners are or are believed to be members of (a) the Provisional Irish Republican Army, (b) the Official Irish Republican Army, (c) the Irish Republican Socialist Party, (d) the Irish National Liberation Army, (e) the Ulster Defence Association, (f) the Ulster Volunteer Force and (g) other terrorist organisations in (i) 1981, (ii) 1982, (iii) 1983, (iv) 1984 and (v) 1985; and if there are any kinds of work which the prisoners refused to do;

(2) why it was decided to terminate the employment of civilian instructors at the Maze prison; how long it has been since they actually gave instruction to prisoners there where the prisoners concerned were members of terrorist organisations; what savings he expects as a result of their dismissal; and what the cost of employing them has been in each year since they last gave regular instruction to prisoners who were members of terrorist organisations;

(3) what sort of free association is presently enjoyed by prisoners convicted of scheduled offences at the Maze prison; when it was introduced; and what groups enjoy such free association;

(4) whether any groups of terrorist prisoners in the Maze prison are allowed one letter, one visit and one parcel per week and can arrange their own recreational activities;

(5) whether Her Majesty's Government plan to restore the remaining 50 per cent of remission lost by prisoners in the Maze prison during the hunger strike, or to provide conditions under which it would be restored; and if he will make a statement;

(6) which aspects of the five demands made by terrorist prisoners in the Maze prison during the hunger strike have not as yet been incorporated in changes in prison regime and policies;

Mr. Scott

I shall reply to the hon. Gentleman as soon as possible.