§ Mr. McGradyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the implementation of the recommendations of the interdepartmental working group chaired by Lord Ferrers in respect of the transfer of prisoners from prisons in Great Britain to similar institutions in Northern Ireland. [9688]
§ Miss WiddecombeIn his statement of 23 November 1992, the then Minister of State indicated that the Government had accepted in full the recommendations of the interdepartmental working group, and set out the arrangements which would apply to the transfer of prisoners between jurisdictions. These have worked satisfactorily and have been upheld in judicial review hearings. There is regular contact between officials in Great Britain and Northern Ireland about the implementation of the transfer arrangements, about which Ministers are kept fully informed. My right hon. and learned Friend has reviewed the current legal provisions relating to transfers and has made provision in the Crime (Sentences) Bill, currently before Parliament, for changes to these, as recommended by the interdepartmental working group.