§ Mr. Joe Ashtonasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why the Governor of Ranby prison is being transferred.
§ Mr. HurdThe Governor of Ranby prison, Mr. Harrap, is to be transferred in April 1984 to take charge of Lincoln prison for career reasons.
§ Mr. Ashtonasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why the staff at Ranby prison are refusing to attend the monthly meetings to discuss internal problems.
§ Mr. HurdOnly the local branch of the Prison Officers' Association is refusing to attend monthly meetings with the governor in pursuance of a local industrial dispute. Otherwise staff and management continue to communicate as usual.
§ Mr. Ashtonasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what industrial action has been taken and threatened by prison officers at Ranby prison, Retford, in recent weeks; and what is the dispute about.
§ Mr. HurdOn 23 November between 2 pm and 3 pm members of the Prison Officers' Association at Her Majesty's prison, Ranby, took industrial action. This included attendance at an unauthorised meeting during working hours which left the establishment temporarily undermanned for its normal routine. The action was taken in connection with a dispute about manning levels.
§ Mr. Ashtonasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what emergency services he intends to introduce if the prison officers at Ranby prison walk out on 19 December.
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§ Mr. HurdWe hope that discussions now being held will resolve the dispute, but it would anyway not be sensible to disclose contingency arrangements for dealing with emergency action.
§ Mr. Ashtonasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why there is to be a reduction in the surveillance of the Ranby prison perimeter fence.
§ Mr. HurdA temporary increase in the level of perimeter surveillance at Ranby was required because contractors had begun work at the prison. It has since been made possible to reduce the level of surveillance, as improved physical security measures have been taken.