HC Deb 21 June 1982 vol 26 cc14-5W
Mr. Steen

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the organisation and operation of the prison industry company Prindus; what full-time staff are employed; how many prisoners have been involved in its manufacturing operations in each year for which figures are available; and what has been its turnover for each year for which figures are available.

Mr. Mayhew

Prison Industries are managed by the directorate of industries and farms of the prison department of the Home Office, which is accountable to my rt. hon. Friend through its director general. The number of staff employed on industrial activities in the directorate and establishments is 1,346.

The number of inmates employed and the sales turnover are published in the annual prison department reports. For the last three years they were:

Inmates employed Turnover £ million
1979–80 12,747 26.3
1980–81 11,919 24.3
1981–82 12,113 31.6

Mr. Steen

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department for how many contracts awarded by nationalised industries Prindus has (a) competed and (b) competed successfully since its foundation.

Mr. Mayhew

We regret that the information is not readily available in the form requested and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Mr. Steen

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what machinery Prindus is purchasing or leasing to fulfil the contract for providing open shoes to the National Coal Board; what will be the cost of the machinery; and from whom it will be obtained.

Mr. Mayhew

Prindus is not purchasing or leasing machinery to fulfil the contract for providing open shoes to the National Coal Board; it is using existing machinery. It has, however., purchased £6,000 worth of tooling.

Mr. Steen

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the prison industry company Prindus competed for the contract for providing open shoes to the National Coal Board for use by miners while taking showers; what was the value of the contract; when the sample shoe was provided to the National Coal Board; by what date the contract has to be fulfilled; whether the materials are to be wholly provided from United Kingdom sources; and, if not, what proportion will be imported and from where.

Mr. Mayhew

The Prison Industries competed in open competition for the contract for providing open shoes to the National Coal Board. The details of the contract must be regarded as commercially confidential. Contracts on the source of supply of materials have yet to be placed.