§ Mr. Cartwrightasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) why he has not yet replied to the letter of 6 November 1985 from the hon. Member for Woolwich on behalf of Mr. Alan Parker, currently in Her Majesty's prison, Maidstone; and when he now expects to provide a substantive reply;
(2) in what circumstances inmates of Her Majesty's prisons are allowed to have their photopgraphs taken at their own expense; and why such facilities have been denied Mr. Alan Parker at Her Majesty's prison, Maidstone.
§ Mr. MellorPresent policy is not to allow applications by inmates to have their photographs taken to send outside prison, save in exceptional compassionate circumstances, for example where a relative is unable to visit because of infirmity, disability or residence overseas. We have recently commenced a review of this policy but it is too early to say what the outcome will be.
My noble Friend has written to the hon. Member about the case of Mr. Alan Parker.