HC Deb 15 October 2001 vol 372 c920W
Miss Widdecombe

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the role of HM Chief Inspector of Prisons. [6380]

Beverley Hughes

The role of Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Prisons, which is fixed by statute, is toinspect or arrange the inspection of prisons in England and Wales and report to the Home Secretary; in particular report to the Home Secretary on the treatment of prisoners and conditions in prisons; report to the Home Secretary on matters connected with the prisons in England and Wales and prisoners in them as the Home Secretary directs; and submit an annual report to the Home Secretary in a form which the Home Secretary determines to be laid before Parliament.

Terms of reference have been completed as a public record of Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Prisons' (and Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Probation's) statutory remit, responsibilities and entitlements. Copies of both documents have been placed in the Library.