§ Mr. CoxTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department in how many prisons in England and Wales inmates have not had the opportunity to shower and receive a change of clean kit at least once a week during the last six months; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Peter LloydResponsibility for this matter has been delegated to the director general of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.
Letter from D. Lewis to Mr. Tom Cox, dated July 1993.
The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about the number of prisons in England and Wales, where in the last six months, inmates have not had the opportunity to shower and receive a change of clean kit, at least once a week.
Standing Orders require that inmates be given the opportunity of a shower or bath at least once a week and that adequate supplies of clean clothing are supplied. In very many cases baths or showers and changes of clothing are available more frequently than once a week. I regret that detailed information on frequency at individual establishments is not currently held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.