HL Deb 11 July 1994 vol 556 cc94-5WA
Lord Kilmarnock

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What attempts have been made to assess the prevalence of offences committed under the Sexual Offences Act 1967 in Her Majesty's Prisons in Great Britain since 1988.

Earl Ferrers

There have been one or two studies of homosexuality in English/Welsh prisons and the views of ex-prisoners about its extent have also been canvassed. No reliable figures have been produced, though. Some relevant information will be provided by a current Home Office study of HIV risk behaviour in English/Welsh prisons. The results of this study should be available early next year.

Lord Kilmarnock

asked Her Majesty's Government:

To clarify whether a prison establishment is considered a public or private place for the purpose of implementing the Sexual Offences Act 1967.

Earl Ferrers

The Home Office has no authority to interpret the law. It is for the courts to decide whether all or any part of a prison establishment is a public or private place within the meaning of the Sexual Offences Act 1967.

Lord Kilmarnock

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many inmates in prison establishments in Great Britain have been (a) disciplined and (b) charged for offences committed under the Sexual Offences Act 1967 since 1988.

Earl Ferrers

Statistics on disciplinary offences which are committed by prisoners who are held in prison in England and Wales, do not distinguish those with a homosexual element. The Scottish Prison Service has a separate disciplinary system. No central records are kept of referrals by governors to the police of alleged offences under the 1967 Act.