§ Mr. Alan Williamsasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what threat of industrial action by 567W prison officers has arisen at Swansea prison; what threats of suspension have been made by his Department to the officers concerned; and if his Department's response recognised that the prison officers had conducted a secret ballot before announcing action.
§ Mr. MellorFollowing a secret ballot, prison officers at Swansea threatened to reduce the inmate population of the establishment to its certified normal accommodation of 241. The action has been suspended to allow further discussions to take place; but the staff concerned know that, notwithstanding the ballot, one of the responses open to management during industrial action is the temporary relief from duty of any officer who refuses to obey a lawful order.