§ The Earl of Swintonasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will comment on the inquiry into the serious disturbances at Her Majesty's Prison, Manchester and other establishments.
Earl FerrersI understand that Lord Justice Woolf envisages the inquiry falling into two parts. The first part of the inquiry will examine the facts of the disturbances and evidence will be taken in public. The second part of the inquiry will involve consideration of the wider issues which may, in Lord Justice WoolFs view, underlie the recent serious prison disturbances. Lord Justice Woolf considers that it would be helpful if he was assisted in this second part of the inquiry by H.M. Chief Inspector of Prisons, Judge Tumim, with his wide experience and independent view of prison matters.
On the advice of Lord Justice Woolf and after consultation with H.M. Chief Inspector of Prisons my right honourable friend the Home Secretary has therefore decided that once the first part of Lord Justice Woolf's inquiry has been completed Judge Tumim should join with him in the second part of the inquiry.