§ Mr. HinchliffeTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department why the prison department has withdrawn payment of the grooming or care allowance to those prison officer dog handlers obliged to care for the dogs at home in their own time.
§ Mr. Peter LloydPrison officer dog handlers used to receive one hour plain time overtime per day to cover the time spent grooming, exercising and feeding the dog.
Fresh start working abolished overtime beginning in 1987. We accept the need to recompense dog handlers for their continuing responsibility for the care and maintenance of their dog and have made two offers to the Prison Officers' Association, both of which have been rejected. Negotiations should be resumed in the near future.