§ Mr. SumbergTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is his policy on the provision of prison visitors' centres.
§ Mr. MellorWe believe that visitors' centres can be of considerable benefit to visitors, prisoners and staff. They are now a standard feature in the design of new establishments. Unfortunately, it is not possible to provide 789W funds to erect purpose-built centres at those existing establishments which do not already have a centre. We are keen, however, to encourage establishments to make suitable provision wherever this is possible—for example, by making use of existing accommodation. I am placing in the Library a copy of a note, "Visitors' Centres: Some Guidelines for Establishments and Voluntary Organisations", which is being issued to the governors of all establishments.
We already make a regular contribution towards the running costs of five visitors' centres and emergency grants have also been made to a further four centres in this financial year. From April next year additional funds will be available to offer similar support to new centres.