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Prisoners (Constructive Activity)
Mr. McWalter: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the average weekly number of hours spent in constructive activity by (a) all prisoners, (b) remand prisoners and (c) sentenced prisoners in (i) 1995-96, (ii) 1996-97 and (iii) each month since April 1997 (1) nationally and (2) in each London prison. [11950]
Ms Quin: I will write to my hon. Friend.
Republican Prisoners (Transfers)
Mr. Godman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many republican prisoners have submitted applications to be transferred from his jurisdiction to penal institutions in the Republic of Ireland; what is the average length of time for such an application to be processed; and if he will make a statement; [11084]
- (2) what plans he has to authorise the transfer of republican prisoners to penal institutions in the Republic of Ireland under the European convention on the transfer of sentenced prisoners; and if he will make a statement. [11083]
Ms Quin [holding answers 30 July 1997]: Any prisoner may apply for repatriation to the Republic of Ireland. All such applications are considered under the terms of the convention and, in accordance with this country's long-standing policy, which is normally not to repatriate prisoners where there would likely to be a substantial reduction in time to serve as a result.
To date, 24 prisoners convicted of terrorist-related offences and held in prisons in England and Wales have applied to be repatriated to the Republic of Ireland.
Of eight such applications which have been resolved to date, six were processed in an average period of a little over 10 months from date of application for repatriation
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to date of final decision; two were withdrawn by the prisoners concerned 19 months after date of first application.
The date of application is taken as being either the date on which the prisoner submitted the request, or 1 November 1995--the date on which the Republic brought the convention into force there--whichever is the later.
Mr. Beith:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the outcome of disciplinary hearings instituted at Cardiff prison following the death of Geoffrey Thomas. [11938]
Ms Quin:
I refer the right hon. Member to the reply I gave to him on 24 July Official Report, column 683. It has come to my attention that dates given in my previous answer were incorrect, for which I apologise.
Disciplinary proceedings were instituted against five members of staff at Cardiff prison following the death of Mr. Geoffrey Thomas. Three of the cases have been concluded. Proceedings against two others have been adjourned at the request of the Prison Governors Association.
The first hearing took place on 21 and 22 May, and not 19 May as previously stated. The adjournment of two cases took place on 23 May and not 22 May.
The Prison Governors Association has questioned the impartiality of the governor hearing the case, and not the legality of the actions of the governor investigating the incident, as stated in my previous answer.
Hearings will be reconvened at the earliest available date.
Mr. Malcom Bruce:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what funding is presently committed from his departmental budget for (a) 1997-98, (b) 1998-99 and (c) 1999-2000 to resolve the year 2000 computer problem; and if he will make a statement.[11890]
Mr. Straw:
Each business area within the Home Office is responsible for ensuring that computer systems in their area are year 2000 compliant. The Department is following guidance published by the Central Computer and Telecommunications Agency. The business areas are currently preparing costed plans for this work and these plans should be completed by end of October this year, which is the target date recommended by the central information technology unit. Until these costed plans are available, it is not possible to estimate the cost of year 2000 remedial work and at this stage no funds are committed. The business areas are aware that my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer has said that costs will have to be met from existing public expenditure survey provision.
Mr. Opik:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what access to the NHS is available to mentally disordered prisoners; what information is
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collated by the Prison Service about mentally disordered prisoners' medical history; what information is passed on to the NHS after release; and if he will make a statement.[11910]
Ms Quin:
Prisoners who are mentally disordered in accordance with the criteria in the Mental Health Act 1983 for detention as in-patients for medical treatment can be transferred to psychiatric hospital. Prisoners with mental health problems who do not meet those criteria receive care and treatment in prison, often under the supervision of a qualified psychiatrist as occurs in the community.
On their first reception into prison, all prisoners receive a physical and mental health examination which includes a psychiatric history. Prison staff may, with the prisoner's agreement, request individual records or other medical reports from the national health service in cases where that is considered necessary.
Where there is a need for continuing treatment after release, medical information is transferred from the prison doctor to the prisoner's general practitioner or other responsible agency in the community. Where a prisoner does not consent to such disclosure, but his or her mental ill health places them or others in the community at significant risk, such information would be disclosed to an appropriate person or agency and the prisoner informed accordingly. The Prison Service plans to issue a new health care standard on "Continuity of Health Care" which will give additional advice to establishments on exchanges of information about health care matters between the Prison Service and other agencies.
Mr. Peter Bradley:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress has been made in implementing changes in the primary purpose rule. [11919]
Mr. Mike O'Brien:
My right hon. Friend announced the abolition of the primary purpose rule in an answer to a question from my hon. Friend the Member for Leicester, East (Mr. Vaz) on 5 June, Official Report, column 218. An amendment to the immigration rules was laid which came into effect the same day. Outstanding appeals involving primary purpose are being reviewed. In cases where the refusal was on the ground of primary purpose alone, instructions are being issued to grant entry clearance.
Mr. Beith:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the Government policy towards the outstanding recommendations made in the Learmont report into prison security. [11932]
Ms Quin:
One hundred and twelve of the recommendations have been implemented. Of the remaining 15, 11 are the subject of a cost-benefit analysis to determine their operational effectiveness and value for money, and four are still being reviewed or evaluated through pilot schemes.
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Mr. Bercow:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress he has made with the proposal in the Cullen report for the screening of volunteers; and if he will make a statement. [11598]
Mr. Michael:
The recommendation for the vetting and supervision of adults working with children and young people, including paid workers and volunteers, is under consideration by the Government.
Mr. Bercow:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he has taken to introduce a legal obligation on individuals and organisations to have all their (a) existing and (b) new volunteers screened; and what estimate he has made of the average cost of that procedure. [11599]
Mr. Michael:
There is no legal requirement for individuals or organisations to screen existing or new volunteers. Depending on the level of check, the cost of such checks has been estimated at between £5 and £10. We are currently considering the implementation of part V of the Police Act 1997 and will honour an undertaking to consult voluntary organisations before reaching a decision.
Mr. Brake:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to bring forward the date of the private finance initiative for building a new police station in Sutton. [11830]
Mr. Michael:
The Metropolitan police propose to seek tenders for provision of services for a package which includes replacement of divisional police stations in Sutton, Bromley and Lewisham.
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