HC Deb 30 January 1995 vol 253 cc510-1W
Mr. Cox

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent assessment he has made of the provision of security coverage to prisoners receiving outside hospital treatment; and who is responsible for the payment of costs incurred.

Mr. Michael Forsyth

Responsibility 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 Derek Lewis to Mr. Tom Cox, dated 30 January 1995: The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about security coverage during visits to outside hospitals. The level of security coverage to be provided is a matter for the governor in each case. Guidance is contained in section 60 of the Security Manual, copies of which are in the Library of the House. The cost of escorts to hospitals, as with other kinds of escort, is met by the prison.