§ Mr. CoxTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisons were visited in England and Wales by Sir David Ramsbotham during the last 12 months; and how many of his reports of such visits have to date been published. [67223]
§ Mr. George HowarthDuring the year 15 January 1998 to 15 January 1999, Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Prisons visited 40 Prison Service establishments in England and Wales. To date, 25 reports have been published. Ten reports have been submitted to the Home Secretary and are currently with the Prison Service which, in line with the agreed protocol, is checking their factual accuracy. The remaining five reports are still in preparation.