HC Deb 28 March 2001 vol 365 cc709-10W
Mr. Linton

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department who will appoint the next HM Inspector of Prisons and HM Inspector of Probation. [155104]

Mr. Boateng

Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Prisons is appointed by Her Majesty the Queen, who is advised on the appointment by the Home Secretary. Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Probation is appointed by the Home Secretary. We are following the guidelines of the Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments in recruiting for the two posts.

Mr. Linton

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has revised the terms of reference of HM Inspector of Prisons to include the inspection of the Prison Service. [155105]

Mr. Charles Clarke

The remit of Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Prisons is fixed by statute. In summary it is to inspect prisons in England and Wales, reporting on the treatment of prisoners and conditions in prisons, and to report to the Home Secretary on related matters as the Home Secretary directs. The inspection of the Prison Service as a whole, including Prison Service Headquarters, falls outside the Chief Inspector's statutory remit. The proposed terms of reference for Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Prisons, which have been sent to the Chair of the Home Affairs Select Committee and other Members of this House, do however make clear that the Chief Inspector's responsibilities include reporting on the impact of management decisions within the Prison Service on prison conditions and the treatment of prisoners and, as the Home Secretary directs, on matters concerning Prison Service Headquarters which could impact on prison conditions.