Periodicals, Dartmoor (Hansard)

Oral Answers to Questions — Home Department – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 16 May 1957.

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Photo of Mr Stephen Swingler Mr Stephen Swingler , Newcastle-under-Lyme 12:00, 16 May 1957

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why prisoners in Her Majesty's Prison, Dartmoor, are not permitted to receive copies of HANSARD.

Photo of Mr Jocelyn Simon Mr Jocelyn Simon , Middlesbrough West

Subject to the rules governing the receipt of periodicals, there is no reason why a prisoner should not be allowed to receive copies of HANSARD. If the hon. Member has any particular case in mind, my right hon. Friend will be glad to look into it if he will let him have details.

Photo of Mr Stephen Swingler Mr Stephen Swingler , Newcastle-under-Lyme

Is the hon. and learned Gentleman aware that this rule is apparently not being followed? Is he aware that a constituent of mine who temporarily resides in Dartmoor was not permitted to receive a copy of HANSARD which I sent to him and which, I thought, was neither obscene nor seditious? Will he therefore make further investigations to make sure that this rule is properly followed?

Photo of Mr Jocelyn Simon Mr Jocelyn Simon , Middlesbrough West

It is a prison rule relating to publications that they must be received from the publisher direct in order to avoid the necessity of censorship. I think that that was probably the cause of the trouble in the hon. Gentleman's case.

Photo of Mr George Drayson Mr George Drayson , Skipton

Is it not possible that the reading of HANSARD in prisons might be regarded as an additional punishment; or may not this publication come within the category of comic?

Photo of Mr Emanuel Shinwell Mr Emanuel Shinwell , Easington

Could arrangements be made for a copy of the OFFICIAL REPORT to be sent to a prisoner if he happens to be one of our constituents?

Photo of Mr Jocelyn Simon Mr Jocelyn Simon , Middlesbrough West

I see no reason why that should not be done.

Photo of Mrs Bessie Braddock Mrs Bessie Braddock , Liverpool Exchange

Is it not time that HANSARD was allowed to be put in every prison library so that those prisoners who desire to read it—and many of them do—would have an opportunity to ask for it and to receive it as a right?

Photo of Mr Jocelyn Simon Mr Jocelyn Simon , Middlesbrough West

I will certainly draw that suggestion to the attention of the Prison Commissioners.