Bedford Prison

HC Deb 19 June 1979 vol 968 cc490-1W

Mr. Skeet

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much money has been spent on modernising Bedford prison since its establishment in 1848; and what are his present plans for the prison.

Mr. Brittan

Records of expenditure on individual establishments going back to 1848 are not available. Although some minor improvements are being made, it is not yet possible to undertake a major programme of modernisation at Bedford prison because of the shortage of space inside the perimeter wall and the lack of other prisons in the area capable of rehousing its present inmate population of about 300. The redevelopment of this and the other prisons will be considered again in the light of the recommendations of the May inquiry.

					1974–75	1975–76	1976–77	1977–78	1978–79
TAVR cost (£M)	…	…	…	…	44	46	49	70	84
Percentage of Army budget	…	…	…	3.6	2.9	2.5	3.2	3.4
Percentage of Defence budget	…	…	1.2	1.0	0.9	1.1	1.2

Mr. George

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will publish in the Official Report the annual turnover of Territorial Army Volunteeer Reserve personnel for the last five years for which figures are available.

Mr. Hayhoe

For the past five financial years the manpower turnover of the TAVR, denned as the ratio of losses to strength, is as follows:

Year	Turnover per cent.
1974–75	31
1975–76	31
1976–77	29
1977–78	36
1978–79	37

Mr. George

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will publish in the Official Report the establishment and recruited strength for the last five years for which figures are available of the Territorial Army Volunteer Reserve in toto, of independent units, of sponsored units and of those units with transport and movement roles.

					1974–75	1975–76	1976–77	1977–78	1978–79
Expenditure (£000)	…	…	…	…	146	196	173	239	513
Percentage of TAVR expenditure	…	…	0.33	0.43	0.35	0.34	0.61

Mr. George

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement of Government support for the Territorial Army Volunteer Reserve and other reserve forces recommended in the 6th Report from the Expenditure Committee (1976–77).

Mr. Hayhoe

Both my right hon. Friend and I shall take every appropriate