HL Deb 16 July 1996 vol 574 c51WA
Lord Lester

of Herne Hill asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Answer given by Baroness Blatch on 2nd July (WA 100), whether there has been any change made in the restrictions imposed on the freedom of the Chief Inspector of Prisons to discuss prison policy in public compared with the position when Judge Sir Stephen Tumim was Chief Inspector of Prisons; and, if so, whether they will indicate the nature of the changes and the justification for them.

Baroness Blatch

There has been no change. It has always been recognised that HM Chief Inspector of Prisons needs to play an active part in public discussions of prisons and related matters.