§ Mr. Kilfedderasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many of the prison warders employed in Northern Ireland have come from outside the Province; how many have transferred from prisons in Great Britain; what is their average weekly gross pay; and how it compares with the average weekly gross pay of prison warders in Great Britain.
§ Mr. David HowellNo detailed record is kept of the numbers of Northern Ireland prison officers who were neither born in Northern Ireland nor domiciled there prior to their appointment. 155 members of the prison services in Great Britain are currently detached for temporary duty to Northern Ireland; none have transferred permanently.
Excluding rent and other allowances the average weekly gross pay, including overtime payments, of an officer in the basic discipline grade in the Northern Ireland prison service is £38.25. The comparable estimated figure for Great Britain is £41.00.
§ Mr. Kilfedderasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will take steps to ensure that Ulster people are given jobs as prison warders in Northern Ireland in preference to applicants from outside the Province.
§ Mr. David HowellThere is a considerable number of vacancies for prison officers and no suitable candidate from Northern Ireland is likely to be turned away.