HC Deb 17 July 1998 vol 316 cc344-5W
Mr. Beith

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions he has had in relation to the transfer of responsibility for health services in prisons to the National Health Service; and if he will make a statement. [50588]

Ms Quin

I receive regular reports about the progress of the Prison Service and National Health Service (NHS) joint working group on the future organisation of prison health care. This group is considering, among other options for improving prison health care, the transfer of responsibility to the NHS. The Government will announce their decision about whether or not this would be an appropriate way to proceed, once the working group has produced its report and we have had an opportunity to consider it.