§ Sir Ivan LawrenceTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress has been made in selecting a contractor to operate the court escort service in the Metropolitan police district.
§ Mr. HowardOn 16 February, my predecessor announced an intention to invite tenders for the provision of the court escort and custody service for the Metropolitan police district, under the provisions of the Criminal Justice Act 1991.
After carefully considering the proposals submitted, the Prisons Board has decided to award the contract to Securicor Custodial Services Ltd. A contract will be signed before the end of the year.
The new service will come into operation in five phases starting in July 1994, using staff who are required by statute and under the contract to be properly trained and vetted. It will release prison and police officers to concentrate on duties more appropriate to their particular skills and duties.