HC Deb 11 November 1933 vol 48 cc257-8W
Mr. Neale

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish the gross receipts from sales of all products and the gross operational costs of Prindus, respectively, for the years ending 31 March 1980, 31 March 1981, 31 March 1982 and 31 March 1983.

Mr. Hurd

This information is contained in the reports on the work of the Prison Department for 1981-Cmnd. 8543—and 1982—Cmnd. 9057. Information for the year ending 31 March 1983 will be published in due course in the report for 1983.

Mr. Neale

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish the number of staff employed by Prindus for the years ending 31 March 1980, 31 March 1981, 31 March 1982 and 31 March 1983; and whether he has any proposals to reduce these staffing levels.

Mr. Hurd

The available information is as follows:

31st March
1980 1981 1982 1983
Headquarters staff-complement 170 192 190 190
Instructional staff in post at establishment 1,470 1,510 1,485 1,468
Other authorised posts at establishment * * 101 101
* Not available.

Staff levels are kept under close review, but there are no present plans for any general reduction in those of the Directorate of Industries and Farms.

Mr. Neale

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will conduct urgent discussions with the management and trade unions of all industries affected by the manufacture or production in Her Majesty's prisons of any articles with a view to terminating all contracts at the first available date which relate to articles in respect of which there is proven spare productive capacity in those private or public sector industries affected.

Mr. Hurd

The joint Home Office—Confederation of British Industry—Trades Union Congress consultative committee on Prison Industries already meets regularly and co-ordinates the views and interests of both sides of industry on the production of goods and services by Prison Industries.

Mr. Neale

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will review all current contracts entered into by Prindus for the production and sale of any articles by Her Majesty's prisons and ensure that Prindus is not competing unfairly with private sector suppliers.

Mr. Hurd

Prison Industries' goods and services are offered at prevailing market prices in order to ensure that its competition in the markets is fair. Individual prices are reviewed periodically in order to ensure strict adherence to this policy which is itself at present under review.

Mr. Neale

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list by type, size and price the quantities of step ladders and extending ladders manufactured and supplied from Her Majesty's prisons under a contract entered into by Prindus on 1 October 1981 for the years ending 30 September 1982 and 30 September 1983, respectively.

Mr. Hurd

One type of extension ladder in five sizes and one type of loft ladder in one size are manufactured under the contract referred to. This contract does not include step ladders. Information on prices and quantities is commercially confidential.

Mr. Neale

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department by how much the levels of production of step ladders and extending ladders in Her Majesty's prisons are to be reduced during the current financial year.

Mr. Hurd

Levels of production of extending ladders during the current financial year will not exceed the minimum stipulated in the relevant contract. Production of step ladders, which is under a separate contract, will also be at the minimum contract level.

Mr. Neale

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will ensure that the current contract with Prindus for the manufacture, production and supply of step ladders and extending ladders by inmates of Her Majesty's prisons is not renewed after 30 September 1984 when the existing three-year agreement expires.

Mr. Hurd

The current contract for the manufacture of extending ladders—that is, extension and loft ladders—with which I understand my hon. Friend is concerned, is under review.

Mr. Neale

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will invite the British Ladder Manufacturers Association to meet him urgently to discuss current levels of ladder manufacture and production in Her Majesty's prisons.

Mr. Hurd

The views of the BLMA are already known to us but, if my hon. Friend has any further representations to make, my right hon. and learned Friend would be glad to receive them.

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