§ Mr. George HowarthTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department to what extent the costs of support from the parent company are contained in the cost per in-use certified normal accommodation place in accordance with published key performance indicators for privately run gaols. [18939]
§ Miss WiddecombeResponsibility for this matter has been delegated to the temporary Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.
Letter from A. J. Pearson to Mr. George Howarth, dated 5 March 1996:
The Home Secretary has asked me, in the absence of the Director General from the office, to reply to your recent Question asking to what extent the costs of support from the parent company are contained in the cost per in-use certified normal accommodation place in accordance with published key performance indicators for privately run gaols.
The figures used to report cost per place at privately managed prisons are based on payments made to the contractor for operating the prison. Payments are made on the basis of a contract agreed as a result of the competitive process. It is a matter for the contractor to what extent any parent company costs are borne on the contract price.