HC Deb 22 January 1992 vol 202 cc244-5W
Sir Charles Irving

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what arrangements he intends to make to ensure the contribution of the full range of prison educational provision after implementation of the proposals in the Further and Higher Education Bill[Lords]

Mr. Alan Howarth

The Secretary of State for the Home Department has responsibility for the provision of education in Prison Service establishments in England and Wales.

At present, local education authorities accept invitations to provide education for prisons and provision is usually made through a college of further education. Following the transfer of colleges of further education out of local authority control on 1 April 1993, subject to the passage of the Further and Higher Education Bill, the Secretary of State for the Home Department will invite colleges to provide education for prison establishments direct. This will ensure clearer lines of responsibility and better accountability.