| Previous Section | Index | Home Page |
Treatment Centres
Mr. Morgan: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what consultations he has had with the chairmen of the Welsh health authorities concerning the future of the treatment centres at Rhydlafar, Cardiff and Bridgend.[9342]
Mr. Hague: None. Health authorities, NHS trusts, GPs, community health councils and the centres themselves, were recently consulted by my Department on the future of the treatment centre initiative. The initiative will now continue in 1997-98 as originally planned.
Welsh Language
Sir Wyn Roberts: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he expects his Department to have its Welsh language scheme approved by the Welsh Language Board and in place. [9703]
Mr. Hague: The Welsh Office's Welsh language scheme was approved by the Welsh Language Board on the 29 November 1996 and will be operational from 13 January 1997. The scheme specifies the measures my Department has taken and will be taking to give effect to the principle established by the Welsh Language Act 1993 that, in the conduct of public business and the administration of justice in Wales, the English and Welsh languages should be treated on a basis of equality. Printed copies of the scheme will be placed in the libraries in due course.
16 Dec 1996 : Column: 447
16 Dec 1996 : Column: 449
HOME DEPARTMENT
Court Proceedings (Juveniles)
Mr. Rowe: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the implementation of the Pigot report and other matters relating to the treatment of juveniles in court proceedings.[7625]
Mr. Maclean: The advisory group on video evidence, chaired by Judge Thomas Pigot QC, made a number of recommendations in its 1989 report on the treatment of child witnesses--and other witnesses--in criminal trials. The majority of these recommendations have been implemented.
The Criminal Justice Act 1991 provided, in respect of sexual offences and offences involving violence or cruelty, for pre-trial video recordings to be used as a child's evidence-in-chief at court; for a prohibition on the defendant cross-examining a child witness in person; and for trials involving child witnesses to be transferred direct to the Crown Court without the need for a magistrates court to consider the case. The Act also provided that a child's evidence in criminal proceedings should be given unsworn; abolished the presumption that children were not competent as witnesses; and raised the age limit governing a young person's eligibility to be cross-examined via a television link from under 14 to under 17. The Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 removed the requirement, in sexual offence cases, that the judge warn the jury about convicting on the uncorroborated evidence of the victim.
In addition to the legislative changes, the Government have issued, or contributed towards the production of, a variety of documents and guidance notes to promote ways of assisting those children who become involved in the criminal justice system as witnesses. This includes guidance to magistrates courts on the use of screens, as recommended by the Pigot report, and a memorandum of good practice on video recorded interviews with child witnesses in criminal proceedings. In addition, in January, a video, funded by the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children and the Home Office, will be launched offering good practice advice of judges and barristers for handling cases including child witnesses. All these measures are consistent with the Government's policy of giving a high priority to the needs of victims of crime.
The measures that we have implemented are subject to review and research to test their effectiveness. The Government will continue to make further changes where we consider that they will bring improvements to the operation of the justice system.
Mr. Flynn:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what information he received from the Metropolitan police concerning the question of
16 Dec 1996 : Column: 450
20 November, Official Report, column 621, from the hon. Member for Newport, West on the cost of the state opening of Parliament; and if he will make a statement.[8021]
Mr. Maclean
[holding answer 6 December 1996]: The Metropolitan police provided a rough estimate of £286,200 for the cost of policing the state opening of Parliament. This figure was, however, not a proper costing. It did not take into account the cost of the normal duties which the officers would otherwise have undertaken; it did not include pre-event planning or post-event debriefs and it was worked out on the basis of a complete eight hour tour of duty for all staff using average manpower cost figures and a ready reckoner. It also excluded the cost of permanent Palace of Westminster staff. It was not, therefore, an accurate reflection of the additional costs to the Metropolitan police nor of the total costs which had been incurred. The extent to which Metropolitan police officers are deployed to police a public order event is an operational decision for the commissioner.
Dr. Howells:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) who is responsible for the security of United Kingdom economic key points; [9042]
(3) if he will list the locations of economic key points within the United Kingdom; [9041]
(4) who is responsible for financing the security of economic key points; and what is the total cost; [9043]
(5) who is responsible for financing the security of (i) the national grid site in Wokingham and (ii) the chief reception sites for North sea gas; what measures are in place to ensure that the security of these sites is maintained and improved; and if he will make a statement.[9045]
Mr. Howard:
Responsibility for the security of sites designated as economic key points--EKPs--including the cost of protection, rests with their owners. The Government, through the relevant Departments, promote and monitor protective measures and provide advice, guidance and support on security matters. It is not Government policy to disclose the location of EKPs or to detail their security arrangements.
Mr. Corbyn:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what reports he has received from the Director General of the Prison Service on the medical condition of Roisin McAliskey; and if he will make a statement. [8560]
Miss Widdecombe
[holding answer 10 December 1996]: Responsibility for these matters has been delegated
16 Dec 1996 : Column: 451
to the Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.
Letter from Richard Tilt to Mr. Jeremy Corbyn, dated 16 December 1996:
Miss Widdecombe:
Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.
Letter from Richard Tilt to Mr. Max Madden, dated 16 December 1996:
Mr. Madden:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will place in the Library copies of the most recent guidelines issued by him concerning the treatment of drug dependent prisoners in prison; and how many guidelines, or amendments to guidelines, have been issued since 1990. [9163]
Miss Widdecombe:
Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.
Letter from Richard Tilt to Mr. Max Madden, dated 16 December 1996:
16 Dec 1996 : Column: 452
Miss Widdecombe:
Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.
(2) what measures he has taken to ensure that the security of economic key points is maintained and improved; and if he will make a statement; [9044]
(2) what representations he has received concerning the conditions under which Ms Roisin McAliskey is held; and if he will make a statement. [8559]
The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Questions about Ms Roisin McAliskey.
Mr. Madden:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received concerning the treatment of Roisin McAliskey; what visits she has been allowed from (a) her mother, (b) other relatives and friends, (c) legal advisers, (d) Irish Teachda D'ala and (e) British hon. Members; and if he will make a statement. [9174]
Throughout her time in custody Ms McAliskey has received regular medical attention. There are no specific medical concerns at present; but, as a precaution, following her complaint of stomach pains, Ms McAliskey was taken to Greenwich District hospital for a scan and a full examination by a consultant obstetrician.
The obstetrician confirmed that Ms McAliskey was in good general health, that her 16 week pregnancy was progressing normally and there was no cause for concern. As a further precaution Ms McAliskey was returned to Holloway Prison where specialist ante-natal care is more readily available, should it become necessary.
Representations have been received from some Members of Parliament, the organisation Catholic Justice and Peace and a person claiming to be a friend of the family.
The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about Roisin McAliskey.
Representations have been received about the treatment of Ms McAliskey from some Members of Parliament, a local interest group and a person claiming to be a friend of the family. The Irish Embassy also enquired about a visit for her partner. This visit took place on 28 November.
Ms McAliskey was visited by her mother on 6 December. Her partner has visited her on three occasions and she has also had visits from her father, sister, and from legal representatives. One Member of Parliament has also visited Ms McAliskey.
The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about guidelines concerning the treatment of drug dependent prisoners.
Mr. Madden:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the total number of drug dependent prisoners currently detained in prisons in England and Wales; and if he will make a statement. [9200]
There are three documents two of which are already in the Library: "Caring for drug users", issued in April 1991 and the current Prison Service Drugs Strategy, "Drug misuse in prison", issued in April last year. In the same month we also published Health Care Standard 8, "Clinical Services for Substance Misusers." I enclose a copy for your information, and I am arranging for a complete set of Health Care Standards to be placed in the Library.
| Next Section | Index | Home Page |