HL Deb 10 May 1993 vol 545 cc53-4WA
Lord Avebury

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will estimate the amount of police time spent so far on attempting to recapture prisoners who have escaped from Group 4 custody.

The Minister of State, Home Office (Earl Ferrers)

Responsibility for the subject of this question has been delegated to the prison service agency and its Director General, Mr. Derek Lewis. The agency has therefore responded to the question, and their letter is given below.

Letter from Mr. Derek Lewis, Director General, to the Lord Avebury, dated 5th May 1993.

The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about estimating the amount of police time spent so far on attempting to recapture prisoners who have escaped from Group 4 custody. The nature and circumstances of incidents of escapes differ widely from one case to the next and the prison service is not charged for the police time incurred in recapturing prisoners. The information requested is not, therefore, available.