§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what views the prison governors' representatives expressed, at their meeting with him on 6 March, in respect of his plan to privatise parts of the prison service; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggWhen my right hon. Friend and I met representatives of the Prison Governors Association on 6 March we had a useful exchange of views about, among other things, issues arising from the Green Paper "Private Sector Involvement in the Remand System" (Cm. 434, July 1988) and from my right hon. Friend's statement to the House on 1 March at columns277–78. A copy of the responses to the Green Paper, including that from the Prison Governors Association, is in the Library.
§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department from which organisations he will be seeking advice about his plans for the privatisation of parts of the prison service; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggIn his statement to the House on I March at columns 277–278 my right hon. Friend described the further work which will be needed to take forward consideration of the possibility of involving the private sector in the provision and operation of new remand centres, and in the provision of court escort and custody services. This will involve extensive consultation with interested parties in or concerned with the operation of the criminal justice system, as well as with potential contractors.