§ Mr. Hoyleasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the answer of 11 April, Official Report, column 195 what is the total loss in revenue from rents and other costs of the 59 prison officers quarters standing empty for four to five years at Culcheth; if he will detail the times when negotiations began and were completed in relation to whether any of the staff for the new prison at Thorn Cross desired the properties; what date Thorn Cross prison opened and was fully staffed; when negotiations were opened and completed with the Prison Officers Association on discount sales of these properties; and if he will supply details and dates of the difficulties with the sewage pumping station and the adoption of certain roads on the estate.
§ Mr. MellorPrison officers' quarters are made available rent-free, and no rent income is therefore lost when they are vacant.
Only essential maintenance has been carried out on the surplus quarters at Culcheth since they were released for disposal. The sewage pumping station and the roads have to be upgraded to local authority standards and this liability has to be negotiated as a condition of sale. The need for quarters for staff at Thorn Cross was under continuous review from early 1984 to June 1985. Thorn Cross opened in July 1985 and most staff were in post by the end of August 1985.
Discussions with the POA on discount sales and associated matters began in November 1983 and final offers were rejected by a national ballot in December 1985.