§ Mr. MichaelTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what has been the impact of the dispute at Swansea prison on detention conditions for persons detained by the police in south Wales.
§ Mr. MellorI very much regret that the dispute at Her Majesty's prison Swansea has led to a number of prisoners having to be held in police cells in the area.
The responsibility for the care and conditions of prisoners in police custody rests with the chief officer of police concerned. We recognise that police cells are not designed for long-term detention and that therefore their use for people who ought to be in prison leaves a lot to be desired. I am sure that the police are doing the best that they can in the difficult circumstances under which they are operating.
§ Mr. MichaelTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he has taken to try to resolve the current dispute at Swansea prison; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MellorA meeting between representatives of local and regional management, and local and national Prison Officers Association was held on Tuesday 5 June. Whilst the actual dispute was not resolved, sufficient good will now exists between the two parties which should enable police cells to be cleared of prisoners by Wednesday 13 June.
It was agreed that local management and POA should meet locally in an attempt to resolve the current difficulties.