HC Deb 05 February 1980 vol 978 cc105-6W
Mr. Dubs

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prison officers were recruited in 1979; and how many left the prison service.

Mr. Brittan

In 1979 in England and Wales 703 trained officers were recruited; losses from retirement, resignation and other causes totalled 629. There has recently been an encouraging improvement in the number of applications to join the prison service, and there are currently 459 officers under training.

Mr. Dubs

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what were the average hours of overtime a week worked by a prison officer in each prison in England and Wales in 1979.

Mr. Brittan

I regret that information in the form which the hon. Member has requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost. In respect of prison officer grades in England and Wales as a whole the estimated average overtime during 1979 was about 13 hours a week.