§ Mr. Tom Coxasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department which branches of the Prison Officers Association have indicated to his Department their support for the of introduction of fresh start.
§ Mr. MellorNone, nor would I expect any to have done while negotiations with the national executive committee of the Prison Officers Association are in progress.
§ Mr. Tom Coxasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions have taken place with prison governors as to their views on fresh start.
§ Mr. MellorVarious meetings have been held with the Governors' Branch of the Society of Civil and Public Servants to discuss different aspects of fresh start. The subject has also been discussed at national and regional conferences of governors. At its recent annual general meeting, the governors' branch voted unanimously to give the fresh start plans its full support.
§ Mr. Tom Coxasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations his Department has so far received on the introduction of fresh start; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MellorMany views have been expressed and questions been posed about the introduction of fresh start by prison service staff, trade unions and others inside and outside the service. Most recognise the need to tackle the longstanding problems which the proposals seek to address: the debate is rather about precisely how this should be done. The negotiations with the prison service trade unions now in progress will reveal whether, as we hope, an agreed basis can he found for the necessary changes.