asked the Minister for Justice why food parcels have not been permitted into any of the prisons since 1975.

The immediate cause of the prohibition was the clear evidence that parcels had been used as a means of smuggling contraband. It had, however, come to be recognised not only that there was no real need for food parcels because of the quantity, quality and variety of the food supplied but that the pressure on the families of some prisoners to send in parcels was a heavy strain. Prisoners may buy a limited range of goods including chocolate, sweets and biscuits from the prison shops, which are run on a non-profit making basis.