HC Deb 20 December 1990 vol 183 cc331-2W
Mr. Martyn Jones

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what percentage of prison places will have access to night sanitation in each of the next five years.

Mrs. Rumbold

The latest available projections for the percentages of places which will have access to night sanitation are listed below:

Percentage
31 March 1991 60
31 March 1992 68
31 March 1993 76
31 March 1994 82

The figures for March 1995 and beyond will depend on the resources made available in the future.

We are considering the scope for further acceleration of the programme.

Mr. Martyn Jones

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what percentage of prison hospital officers have a recognised nursing qualification.

Mrs. Rumbold

On 1 December 1990, about 17 per cent. were in possession of a recognised nursing qualification.

Mr. Martyn Jones

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress is being made to improve links between the prison medical service and the national health service.

Mrs. Rumbold

The Prime Minister's efficiency unit conducted recently a scrutiny of the prison medical service (PMS). Its report contains 83 detailed recommendations which, taken together, represent a radical agenda of proposed reform in how prison medical treatment is delivered. Central to the report is the recommendation that the PMS should cease to be a provider of medical treatment, and instead should purchase under contract from the NHS and elsewhere, to a greater extent than is presently the case, the various medical services required in prisons.

We welcome the prospect of developing closer links with the NHS, where practicable. To this end, we and the Department of Health are considering actively the feasibility and practicability of the scrutiny recommendations. This will take a little time as we shall need also to consult leaders of the medical profession and various other bodies.

Our immediate task is to draw up and submit to the efficiency unit by January a detailed action plan. This work is well in hand.

Mr. Martyn Jones

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are the current rules governing prisoners' access to in-cell television; and if he will make a statement.

Mrs. Rumbold

The prison service's current policy is not to allow prisoners to have televisions in their cells. This policy is under review.