In my right hon. Friend's reaction to the Crisis in Our Prisons We have, unfortunately, another example of the Merlyn Rees first law of politics, which is that one does not have to do anything, one does not have to act, however desirable and necessary action may be, unless and until it is an issue in Ormskirk.

The Home Secretary has responded by opening two new prison camps and by recruiting extra staff, but if we are to deal with the Crisis in Our Prisons We must do so by enacting the sort of legislation that successive reports from the House and individual Members have enjoined on successive Home Secretaries.