§ Ms. RuddockTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will conduct an inquiry into the circumstances that led to a man's death from dehydration in HMP Winson Green in July 1992; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Peter LloydNo prisoner died from dehydration at HMP Winson Green in July 1992.
The hon. Member may be referring to the death of John Joseph Ryan in July 1987 at Birmingham prison. The coroner found the causes of death to be electrolyte imbalance due to water depletion and to bronchopneumonia. The jury returned a verdict of lack of care, and Mr. Ryan's family is currently pursuing a civil action against the Home Office. It would therefore be inappropriate for me to comment further.