§ Mr. Peter Bruinvelsasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the cost to his Department over the last full year for which figures are available for paying travel and hotel bills for the wives and families of inmates in Her Majesty's prisons to visit; what are the comparable figures for the previous 10 years; and if he will make a statement.
3W
§ Mr. MellorThe provisional figure for payments made under the assisted visits scheme for the year 1985–86 is £818,283. This includes £40,139 expenditure incurred by the Department of Health and Social Security during 1984–85, but not reimbursed by the Home Office until 1985–86. For expenditure in earlier years, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to a Question by the hon. Member for Southwark and Bermondsey (Mr. Hughes) on 24 March at columns 338 and 339.
§ Mr. Peter Bruinvelsasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is his policy as concerns the allocation of rail travel warrants for the wives or husbands and families of inmates in Her Majesty's prisons; in what circumstances first class travel is allowed; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MellorThe Department of Health and Social Security administers the assisted visits scheme on behalf of the Home Office. I understand from that Department that where a visitor who is eligible for assistance under the scheme travels by rail the fare is usually paid by means of a rail travel warrant, validated for second class travel only. I understand that it is not practice to allow first class travel.