HC Deb 13 December 1979 vol 975 cc724-5W
Mr. Stephen Ross

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will take steps to reduce the long hours of overtime worked by prison officers.

Mr. Brittan

The committee of inquiry into the United Kingdom prison services made a number of recommendations on the use of prison service manpower and the level of overtime working, and these will be followed up as recommended by the committee in full consultation with the staff associations concerned.

Mr. Stephen Ross

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the current shortfall in the approved establishment of prison officers in the United Kingdom.

Mr. Brittan

The number of prison officers in England and Wales on 1 December was 1,060 below the level approved for the year ending 1 April 1981.