Written Answers
Wormwood Scrubs Prison: Provision Of Vests
asked Her Majesty's Government:Why there has been a shortage of vests at Wormwood Scrubs Prison; whether additional supplies have been ordered, and when they are expected to arrive.
Many prisoners, including most of those at Wormwood Scrubs, prefer not to wear a vest. A vest is, however, issued to any prisoner who asks for one. There is no shortage.
Wrongful Imprisonment: Ex Gratia Payments
asked Mer Majesty's Government:Whether they have ever, and if so how often, made an
ex gratia payment to an innocent person
who has suffered a period of imprisonment when on remand his trial.
When ex gratia payment is to be made by way of compensation for wrongful imprisonment, time spent on remand in custody is normally taken into account in the assessment of the sum to be offered. In a few cases—for example, one in 1979, two in 1980 and one in 1981—ex gratia payments have been made to persons who have been remanded in custody but not convicted.
Police Investigations: Use Of Hypnosis
asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether it is true that, as stated in
The Times of 5th October 1982, hypnosis has been used by the police in Britain since 1957 and, if so, how often and whether the defence has been informed of its use.
No central records are kept of the use of hypnosis by the police in Great Britain. Although we are aware of the growing interest of the police service in the use of hypnosis, I have no reason to suppose that it has been used in other than a small number of isolated cases involving very serious crimes, and then in the main, as an aid to investigation. My right honourable friend the Home Secretary is now considering the issue of guidance to the police on this matter. The Home Office will be consulting chief officers of police and professional bodies on the terms of such guidance, which will draw attention to the limitations of the forensic use of hypnosis, suggest firm safeguards for its use, and deal with the question of advance notification to the defence of any evidence to be tendered in court which has been gained by hypnosis.
asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether it is true that, as stated in
The Times of 5th October 1982, the Home Office has set up a police hypnosis unit to refresh the memory of witnesses and victims of violent crimes and, if so, when the unit was set up, and what are itsterms of reference.
The Home Office has no such unit.
Aldermaston: New Plutonium Processing Facility
asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether contracts have been entered into for the construction of a new building at the Atomic Weapons Research Station at Aldermaston and what will be the cost.
Tenders for the building and civil engineering work for the new plutonium processing facility have been invited, received and are currently being evaluated. It is not customary to disclose detailed costs relating to the defence nuclear programme.