HC Deb 30 October 1990 vol 178 cc447-8W
Mr. Cox

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the publications now available which explain the management changes being introduced in prisons in England and Wales; how hon. Members can obtain copies of such documents; and if he will make a statement.

Mrs. Rumbold

The joint prison service/PA Consultants report which recommended changes in the management of the service at above establishment level was published on 10 August 1989 and copies were placed in the Library. We announced our acceptance of those recommendations on 11 January 1990. Since then the changes have been published throughout the prison service and the wider Home Office by in-house newsletters named "Briefing" and "Update". I am arranging for copies of the relevant issues of both publications to be placed in the Library.

Mr. Cox

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how resources are to be provided to ensure that the best results are obtained from management changes now being introduced in prisons in England and Wales; and if he will make a statement.

Mrs. Rumbold

The recent management changes introduced into the prison service have been at above establishment level and have involved the closure of regional offices and the introduction of area managers based in headquarters but spending a great deal of time in their prisons. Care has been taken to ensure that the necessary resources have followed the introduction of the new management features following the reorganisation.

Mr. Cox

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the new London prison of Belmarsh is to be opened; how the prison is to be staffed; and if he will make a statement.

Mrs. Rumbold

The proposed date for the opening of Belmarsh is April 1991. There will be a phased introduction of the work during the remainder of the year.

Belmarsh will be staffed by a mixture of experienced staff who have applied to go there, new entrant prison officers on their first posting and those staff invited to take up post at Belmarsh on promotion.

Mr. Cox

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the medical facilities to be provided at the new London prison Belmarsh; what will be the staffing levels and their position; and if he will make a statement.

Mrs. Rumbold

Belmarsh will have a fully equipped medical centre with 74 beds for in-patients in single rooms and six small wards. The medical team will be led by a senior medical officer who is already in post. The remainder of the medical complement has yet to be decided. The doctors will be supported by a health care team of 69 comprising hospital officers and civilian nurses in about equal proportions and in a range of grades under a governor IV.

Mr. Cox

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the last prison food rations price review took place; and if he will make a statement.

Mrs. Rumbold

The ration scale in prisons is expressed in terms of weight or volume, not price. Movements in prices do not therefore affect the amount of main food items available for inmates.

Cash allowances for dietary extras, which in total constitute less than 10 per cent. of the total spent on food items, are reviewed each autumn. This year's review is just being completed and revised cash allowances will be promulgated shortly to become effective from 29 November.

Mr. Cox

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether local prison governors are allowed to transfer surplus funding not used on one listed expenditure to another item of expenditure within the same prison; and if he will make a statement on his present policy on local prison expenditure.

Mrs. Rumbold

I will write to the hon. Member.