HC Deb 02 May 1985 vol 78 c217W
Mr. Freud

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is satisfied that education units in Her Majesty's prisons are being used to their maximum capacity; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Mellor

Subject to operatonal constraints and the resources available, governors do their best to ensure that optimum use is made of the education unit, within the framework of management accountability set out in circular instruction No. 55/1984 to governors, a copy of which is in the Library.

Mr. Freud

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he proposes to take to seek to ensure that inmates of Her Majesty's prisons studying with the Open University are not moved to establishments where such study facilities are not available.

Mr. Mellor

Where possible, arrangements are already made to ensure continuity of study if an inmate has to be transferred. Where other factors require a transfer to an establishment which is not designated for Open University study the move may be timed to coincide with a normal break in studies.