§ Mr. Allan Robertsasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prison officers' dwellings still remain in the ownership of his Department; how many are standing empty; and what is the policy of his Department on the provision of accommodation for prison officers.
§ Mr. WhitelawThe prison service has 11,347 married quarters, of which 1,072 are currently vacant and awaiting allocation or disposal. The policy of the Home Department is, wherever possible, to meet the needs of those prison officers who require official accommodation; to enable those who so wish to arrange their510W own accommodation, with the benefit of a rent allowance; and to dispose of any surplus accommodation.