§ Dr. Lynne JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what consultation has taken place with representatives of administrative, secretarial and executive staff in the Prison Service about Project Quantum; [2119]
(2) what assessment he has made of the effect on Prison Service jobs of the implementation of Project Quantum; [2120]
(3) what assessment he has made of the impact of Project Quantum on the maintenance and improvement of standards of security and control in the Prison Service. [2122]
§ Miss WiddecombeResponsibility for these matters has been delegated to the Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.
Letter from Richard Tilt to Ms Lynne Jones, dated 7 November 1996:
The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Questions about the Quantum Project. You asked what assessment has been made of the effects on Prison Service jobs and on the maintenance and improvement of standards of security and control and what consultation has taken place with representatives of administrative, secretarial and executive staff.An assessment of the effect on Prison Service jobs of the implementation of Quantum is not possible at present as the final scope of the project has yet to be decided. That decision is likely to be made following a study by suppliers during the second quarter of 1997.653WAs a minimum, Project Quantum suppliers will be expected to meet the Prison Service key performance indicators for standards of security and control. They will also be encouraged to improve upon them.During the month of September. 40 consultation sessions took place with representatives from administrative, secretarial, and executive staff in the Prison Service. These will continue throughout the term of the Quantum project. Consultation meetings have also been held with the trades unions.