Written question asked by Lord Lester of Herne Hill (Liberal Democrat), in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 14 November 1996. It was answered by Baroness Blatch (Conservative) on Thursday, 14 November 1996 on behalf of the HM Prison Service.

Blatch, Baroness

Question: Whether the "prior ventilation rule", whereby prisoners could not complain to Members of Parliament or legal advisors about prison treatment until they had ventilated their complaints through normal internal channels, was abolished, with effect from 1st December 1981, so as to give effect to the report of the European Human Rights Commission and the judgement of the European Court of Human Rights in Silver and Others v United Kingdom; and if not; what was the reason for abolishing that rule. - Text of letter from Mr Richard Tilt of Prison Service Agency. - Inc ref to "Prisoners' Requests/Complaints Procedures". Copies in the Library.

Secondary information