§ Mr. Dubsasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much is to be spent in 1982–83 on (a) the recruitment and (b) selection and training of prison officers.
§ Mr. MayhewThe sum of £240,000 has been set aside to meet the cost of prison officer recruitment in 1982–83 and it is estimated that the cost of the officer training schools providing the initial training of prison officers in 1982–83 will be £275,000. It is not possible to give the cost of prison officer selection.
§ Mr. Dubsasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the new increased ceiling for prison officers' numbers; and how this compares with 1981.
§ Mr. MayhewThe ceiling for staff in the prison officer grade was 16,965 on 1 April 1981 and will increase to 17,265 by 1 April 1983.
§ Mr. Dubsasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department in which existing prison department establishments additional prison officers are to be deployed; and which new establishments will be brought into use as a result of the planned expansion in prison officer numbers.
§ Mr. MayhewIt is not possible to say to which existing prison department establishments additional prison officers are to be deployed because there is a continuous interplay between the posting of new staff and the transfer of existing staff. New establishments which have been or will be brought fully or partly into use in 1982 and early 1983 are Frankland, Acklington and Northridge. In addition some new accommodation will be made available at existing establishments. This is made possible not only by the planned expansion but also by the redeployment of existing staff.