HL Deb 01 June 1992 vol 537 cc53-4WA
Lord Avebury

asked Her Majesty's Government:

On what date they received the redrafted section on Buddhism for the Directory and Guide on Religious Observance in HM Prisons; why this has not yet been incorporated in the published guide, and whether they will give an undertaking not to publish material about other faiths in future without consulting the authorities of those faiths.

Earl Ferrers

The proposed redrafted section on Buddhism for the Directory and Guide on Religious Observance in HM Prisons was received on 18th January 1992.

Widespread consultation took place before the first edition of the directory was produced and further consultation is taking place with the authorities representing other faiths before a new edition of the directory is published. The next edition of the directory will reflect as far as possible agreed information from the various faiths. The difficulty is that some faiths include a variety of sub-divisions and minority groups and it is not always easy to obtain consensus.