§ Mr. CoxTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the number of prisoners being transported and the number of prison officer escorts in the prison coach escape which took place on 17 February while on its way to Wandsworth prison; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Peter LloydResponsibility for this matter has been delegated to the Director General of Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.
Letter from Derek Lewis to Mr. Tom Cox, dated 2 March 1994:
The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question on the number of prisoners being transported and the number of prison officer escorts in the prison coach escape which took place on 17 February while on its way to Wandsworth prison.
On 16 February, eight prisoners were being escorted on the National Escort by five prison staff.
A full inquiry into the escape of two prisoners from this escort is under way. One prisoner was recaptured shortly after by the police but the other remains at large.