Written question asked by Annette Brooke (Liberal Democrat) on Wednesday, 27 February 2002, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 7 March 2002. It was answered by Baroness Hughes of Stretford (Labour) on Thursday, 7 March 2002 on behalf of the Home Office.

Home Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many (a) independent custody visitors' groups and (b) lay observers' panels published their annual reports in the last year; and if he will make a statement. - Inc fact that not available centrally. (Holding answer 5 March 2002).

Answer: Mrs. Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many (a) independent custody visitors' groups and (b) lay observers' panels published their annual reports in the last year; and if he will make a statement. [40003] Beverley Hughes: [holding answer 5 March 2002]: Information about the number of independent (police) custody groups publishing annual reports in the last year is not kept centrally. However, each police authority's annual report should contain a reference to independent custody visiting within the relevant area. There are eight (prisoner escort) lay observers panels in England and Wales and all of them have published their annual reports in the last year.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 40003; 381 c514W
Session: 2001-02
Subjects: Annual reports Police custody Police stations Prison visitors Lay Observers
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk