HC Deb 06 March 1997 vol 291 cc693-4W
Mr. George Howarth

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many of the staff present in the emergency control room at HMP Whitemoor on the evening of 9 September 1994 were interviewed by the Woodcock inquiry. [16865]

Miss Widdecombe

Sir John Woodcock's report records that more than 100 prison officers were interviewed by his inquiry. I understand that the identity of witnesses to the inquiry is covered by an undertaking of confidentiality given by the inquiry.

Mr. Howarth

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many staff were present in the emergency control room at HMP Whitemoor on the evening of 9 September 1994. [16864]

Miss Widdecombe

Five.

Mr. Howarth

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) who issued the instructions to desensitise the prison perimeter fence at HMP Whitemoor on 9 September 1994; [16862]

(2) at what time and for how long the prison perimeter fence at HMP Whitemoor was desensitised on 9 September 1994. [16861]

Miss Widdecombe

I understand that Sir John Woodcock found no reason to believe that the sensitivity of the perimeter fence alarm at Her Majesty's prison Whitemoor was below the required standard on 9 September 1994.