HC Deb 14 March 1996 vol 273 cc708-9W
14. Ms Janet Anderson

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received about the study commissioned by his Department into relations between the Home Office and the Prison Service. [18995]

Miss Widdecombe

The hon. Member is referring to the in-depth study recommended by General Sir John Learmont. As my right hon and learned Friend told the House on 16 October,Official Report, columns 30–44, we have set work in hand in response to this recommendation. The work was assisted initially by Miss Kate Jenkins and then taken forward by discussions between Prison Service and Home Office officials—but no in-depth study as recommended by Sir John Learmont has been commissioned. We have had a number of general inquiries in connection with this but no representations as such. My right hon. and learned Friend has undertaken to give a full response to the Learmont recommendations in due course and this remains the position.