asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they endorse the action of the Metropolitan Police on the occasion, among others, of the delivery at the Soviet Embassy of a protest against the invasion of Afghanistan, in their refusal to accept the authenticity of the press cards of the National Union of Journalists recognised by the Association of Chief Police Officers of England and Wales and accepted for 70 years, and insisting instead that press cards be carried issued by the Metropolitan Police themselves, resulting in the
exclusion from Kensington Palace Gardens of the representative of
The Times and many others.
This is a matter for the Commissioner, but he assures me that his officers are instructed to make efforts to meet the reasonable needs of all members of the press. I understand that on the occasion to which the noble Lord refers holders of National Union of Journalists cards were afforded the same facilities as holders of police press cards.
| Albany | Blundeston | Bristol | Dartmoor | Parkhurst | Wakefield | |
| Total number of prisoners segregated in the interests of good order or discipline during 1980 … … … … | 12 | 27 | 31 | 23 | 29 | 33 |
| Average number of days spent in the segregation unit on each occasion … | 42 | 25 | 28 | 70 | 51 | 64 |
| Number of men segregated for more than 100 days on any occasion … … | 1 | — | — | 5 | 8 | 6 |