§ Rev. Ian PaisleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, pursuant to chapter 8 of the Prison Service annual report, what were the actual reductions in the cost of running the service in 1995–96. [12966]
§ Mr. Ingram[holding answer 27 October 1997]: In 1995–96 there was a reduction in the total cost of the Northern Ireland Prison Service of £700,000 over the previous year. The equivalent figure for 1996–97 was £100,000 higher.
The reduction referred to in chapter 8 of the annual report for 1996–97 was primarily due to a recategorisation of part of the expenditure within the total cost, as well as a smaller sum reflecting lower staff-related costs consequent on the closure of Belfast prison.