§ Dr. GodmanTo ask the Secretary of State for scotland how many persons detained in Her Majesty's prisons sought leave to take a case to the European Commission of Human Rights in each of the past five years; which of those applications led to changes in the standing orders of prisons or in any other prison regulations; and if he will make a statement.
§ Lord James Douglas-Hamilton[holding answer 17 February 1993]: Persons detained in penal establishments in Scotland do not require to obtain the Secretary of State's consent to lodge an application with the European Commission of Human Rights and accordingly information on the number of applications made is not held centrally.
395WHowever, I can confirm that in the last five years one such application led to changes in the Scottish prison service standing orders. As a result of implementation of revised procedures following a judgment delivered by the European Court of Human Rights in March 1992, correspondence between prisoners and their legal advisers now normally passes unopened.
§ Dr. GodmanTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will ensure that in each prison there is an adequate number of leaflets concerning the right of a prisoner to make application to the European Commission of Human Rights; and if he will make a statement.
§ Lord James Douglas-Hamilton[holding answer 17 February 1993]: Yes. They will be made available in every prison library.