§ Mr. Pavittasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, (1) what is the total number of prison officers employed at Wormwood Scrubs who qualify for residential accommodation; what is the number already accommodated; what is the number on the waiting list; what is the number who have been waiting for 464W more than two years; and if he will make a statement;
(2) on what date Burns House and Nos. 97–109 Fortunegate Road, Harlesden, were acquired for the residences of prison officers of Wormwood Scrubs; how many officers it is envisaged will be housed; what is his estimate of the repairs and refurbishing costs; when work on these homes will be started and if there will be a penalty clause for the non-fulfilment of the contract by due date; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. CarlisleAll prison officers are entitled to official quarters or a rent allowance in lieu. Of the 350 officers at Wormwood Scrubs, 290 are in official quarters. Apart from two recently-joined officers who are awaiting completion of their probationary period, none of the remainder is waiting for a quarter.
Legal formalities to acquire the former police properties at Harlesden for prison staff purposes were completed on 29th March 1973. They will house 12 officers and their families. The cost of repairs and refurbishing will be about £16,000. Work has already started as part of a maintenance contract, for which penalty clauses are not appropriate.
§ Mr. Pavittasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when his Department first purchased Burns House and Nos. 97–109 Fortunegate Road, Harlesden, for use as police residences; and on what dates each house was vacated by resident police officers.
§ Mr. CarlisleThe Metropolitan Police built six flats at Burns House in 1952; individual flats were vacated on 11th May, 14th September and 7th December 1971; and on 22nd February, 8th July and 22nd October 1972. Four flats and two houses were erected at 97–109 Fortunegate Road in 1952–53 and vacated on 22nd November 1971, 26th January, 22nd February, 10th June and 18th December 1972 and 13th June 1973.