§ Mr. Chris ButlerTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will make a statement on the progress of his inquiries into the possibility of involving the private sector in running prison industries.
§ Mr. John PattenThe prison service industries and farms board of management includes two non-executive members from the private sector and private sector expertise has been engaged in several aspects of PSIF work such as marketing, computerising management information, and developing strategies for different areas of work. Further progress will be considered in the context of the management of the prison system as a whole, taking account of the need to implement and absorb the major changes associated with fresh start.