§ Lord Hyltonasked Her Majesty's Government:
What independent persons have visited the 15 persons held without trial, under the Anti-terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001, since they were first detained; whether these have included the International Committee of the Red Cross; and whether they receive independent reports on this matter. [HL2033]
§ Lord Falconer of ThorotonThirteen suspected international terrorists are being held under the powers in Part IV of the Anti-terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001. Twelve of these people are being held in HMPs Belmarsh and Woodhill, and the 13th in a secure hospital. The people detained have received visits from two independent bodies: the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture, which published its report on 12 February 2003 (available on the Internet athttp://www.cpt.coe.int/en/press/20030212en.htm); and the National Council 7WA for the Welfare of Muslim Prisoners, which has not published a report.
Her Majesty's Prison Service has at no stage received a request from the International Committee of the Red Cross to visit the people detained. Lord Carlile of Berriew QC has been appointed to carry out an annual independent review of the working of the Part IV powers. This review covers all aspects of the provisions, including prison conditions. In completing his report, Lord Carlile visited the prisons concerned and a number of the detained individuals. His report is available on http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/atoz/ terrorists.htm.