HC Deb 11 July 1985 vol 82 cc502-3W
Mr. Kilfedder

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the total strength by grades including governors at 31 March of the prison service in England and Wales.

Mr. Mellor

The numbers, by grades, of Prison Service staff at outstations on 31 March were as follows:

Numbers
Prison Officer Grades 18,400.5
Administration Grades 2,262.5
Industrial staff 2,143.0
Civilian Instructional Officer and Professional and Technology Officers 1,132.5
Governors 542.0
Storemen 422.0
Doctors and nurses 296.5
Chaplains 107.5
Psychologists 94.5
Cleaners 60.0
Farm Managers 31.0
Messengers 14.0
Assistant Librarian 1.0

The number of Prison Service headquarters staff on 31 March was as follows:

Numbers
Non Industrial (mainly administration group grades) 1,482.0
Industrial (mainly based at Supply and Transport Branch Headquarters at Corby) 362.5

Mr. Kilfedder

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the average basic salary excluding allowances and overtime for each grade including governors for the financial year 1984–85 in the prison service in England and Wales.

Mr. Mellor

The average basic annual salaries excluding overtime and allowances in the financial year 1984–85 were:

£
Governor I 22,605
Governor II 20,283
Governor III 16,744
Governor IV 13,455
Assistant Governor 11,654
Assistant Governor (trainee) 11,219
Chief Officer I 10,643
Chief Officer II 9,854
Principal Officer 8,116
Senior Officer 7,245
Prison Officer 5,744
Prison Auxiliary 5,348
Night Patrol 5,673

Mr. Kilfedder

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the average gross salary including allowances and overtime for each grade including governors for the financial year 1984–85 in the prison service in England and Wales.

Mr. Mellor

Governor grades received no payment in addition to their basic salaries except that they were provided with either rent-free quarters or a rent allowance of up to £2,135 a year, and those working in London were paid London weighting of up to £1,300 a year. The average gross annual salary, including overtime payments and allowances for shift and weekend working, of each of the prison officer grades in the financial year 1984–85 was:

£
Chief Officer I 15,079
Chief Officer II 14,190
Principal Officer 15,808
Senior Officer 14,230
Prison Officer 11,396
Prison Auxiliary 10,097
Night Patrol 9,515

In addition, prison officers in all grades other than prison auxiliary and night patrol were provided with either rent-free accommodation or a housing allowance of £1,060 a year (£1,353 for the Chief Officer grades). All grades working in the London pay area receive London weighting of up to £1,300 a year, and some officers were also paid an allowance, varying in amount, in recognition of certain specialist skills.

Mr. Kilfedder

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the average overtime for each grade including governors for the financial year 1984–85 in the prison service in England and Wales.

Mr. Mellor

The average overtime worked by prison officers was 16.4 hours per officer per week. Small amounts of overtime were also worked by other grades. The pay and conditions of service of governor grades take account of the need for them to attend for whatever hours are necessary for the performance of their job. Overtime allowances are therefore inapplicable to them.

Mr. Kilfedder

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what percentages of officers had a gross salary in excess of (a) £13,000, (b) £14,000 and (c) £15,000 for the financial year 1984–85 in the prison service in England and Wales.

Mr. Mellor

This information could only be obtained at a disproportionate cost.