§ Mr. Kilroy-Silkasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much is spent in a year by the Prison Department on dog food.
§ Dr. SummerskillExpenditure during the financial year 1974–75 was about £50,000.
§ Mr. Kilroy-Silkasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many dogs and dog handlers are employed by the Prison Service; where they are located; and what are their duties.
§ Dr. Summerskill298 dogs and an equivalent number of handlers are employed. Their normal duties are to patrol inside the perimeters of prisons to assist in preventing escapes, but they may be redeployed to such other tasks as the maintainance of security may from time to time require. Dogs and handlers are stationed at the following establishments:
- Albany.
- Birmingham.
- Bristol.
- Brixton.
- Chelmsford.
- Coldingley.
- Dartmoor.
- Durham.
- Gartree.
- Hull.
- Leeds.
- Leicester.
- Lincoln.
- Liverpool.
- Long Lartin.
- Maidstone.
- Manchester.
- Parkhurst.
- Pentonville.
- Risley.
- Wakefield.
- Wandsworth.
- Winchester.
- Wormwood Scrubs.
§ Mr. Kilroy-Silkasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the total cost attributable to dog handlers and dogs employed by the Prison Service.
§ Dr. SummerskillI am obtaining the information and will write to my hon. Friend.
§ Mr. Kilroy-Silkasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how 340W many courses, lectures, demonstrations, etc., are held each year for dog handlers employed by the Prison Service; how many officers attend them; and what is the total cost.
§ Dr. SummerskillDuring 1974–75 there were 16 initial training courses and 33 refresher courses for dog handlers attended by 103 and 177 officers respectively. The total cost was £60,000.